Even small air leakages can cause significant energy loss in a home. After creating an effective thermal barrier around windows and doors, you should look for other air leakage issues and address them promptly. Our guide details the supplies needed and the steps for air sealing framing voids and wall penetrations.
Air leaks can be a sneaky energy drain in any building that may not be apparent at first, but can cause long-term damage and increase energy costs. Properly air sealing your home dramatically improves energy efficiency by identifying those air leak sources and preventing new leaks from appearing.
The first areas you will look at are your doors and windows, as those are the most common areas for air leaks.
After air sealing all the rough openings around doors and windows, you should find any other air leakage points that must be addressed. During home renovation projects, Tyler Grace from TRG Home Concepts always takes the opportunity to walk around the house to identify and address any remaining air sealing concerns.
Tyler is a home renovation expert who knows some commonly overlooked areas. These include electrical outlets, wall penetrations, and voids around the house framing.
Once he identifies an area that needs to be addressed, he uses Loctite’s TITE Foam products and a meticulous process to ensure effective and lasting air sealing results.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how Tyler Grace creates lasting air barriers in his renovation projects.
Tyler Grace understands the importance of having the right materials for the job. When it comes to air sealing a house, he uses the following supplies:
- Safety gloves
- Safety goggles
- Loctite TITE Foam Gaps & Cracks — for gaps up to one inch wide
- Loctite TITE Foam Big Gaps — for gaps up to 3 inches wide
- Utility knife
Loctite TITE Foam products are designed to meet the varying requirements of house insulation jobs. They can effectively seal openings and gaps of various sizes.
According to Tyler, one of the common areas for air leakage in older homes is around electrical outlets. When the renovation team installs fiberglass insulation, they usually cut around these outlets. This leaves room for air leakage because no insulation is tucked behind the outlet.
You can create an air barrier by applying expanding foam in the space between the back of the outlet and the sheathing.
To get the job done, Tyler follows a simple two-step process:
- Clear away any dust and debris
- Position the spray foam straw behind the electrical box and apply the foam
Since the gap is less than an inch wide, Tyler uses Loctite TITE Foam Gaps & Cracks.
Wall openings can be created during a house renovation to accommodate new services like electrical cables and plumbing.
Unsealed wall penetrations can lead to serious insulation issues. Furthermore, moisture and pests can also enter the house through these cavities. Using expanding foam to cover these openings adequately is critical. Wall penetrations can vary in size, with large ones being the most problematic. Tyler uses Loctite TITE Foam Big Gaps when sealing openings up to 3 inches in size.
When sealing wall penetrations, Tyler:
- Clears any dust and debris
- Dries the work area — essential for wet openings
- Applies Loctite TITE Foam Big Gaps to completely seal the opening
If you apply too much foam, just wait for it to cure and cut away any excess using a utility knife.
Framing voids are another common point of air leakage in older homes. During a remodeling project, you might discover huge gaps along the studs. This is common in cases where the studs used are of different sizes. Fiberglass insulation is only cut to fit the space between studs, leaving uninsulated gaps along some gaps. Tyler uses expanding foam to create a continuous thermal seal.
For a lasting air barrier, Tyler recommends the following steps:
- Clean the work area to ensure it is free of dirt and debris
- Apply expanding foam deep into the gap
Consider the gap size when choosing the best Loctite Tite Foam product. Tyler uses Loctite TITE Foam Gaps & Cracks for gaps smaller than an inch.
In addition to being reliable and durable, Loctite TITE Foam products are also known for their flexibility. Once cured, the expanding foam remains flexible. According to Tyler, this property ensures the seal holds even when the connected surfaces move.
For the perfect air sealing results, be sure to follow the pro tips below:
- Use a vacuum or brush for cleaning: Always clear away dirt, dust, and debris from cavities before applying expanding foam. A good brush or vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool attachment can help you clean cavities of varying sizes and depths.
- Moisten edges: Never apply canned spray foam over wet surfaces. However, you can moisten the edges to strengthen the bond between the expanding foam and surrounding surfaces.
- Shake the expanding spray foam can vigorously: Always shake the can for about 20 seconds before installing the applicator straw and applying the foam.
Eliminating common air leakages and creating an effective air barrier can help boost the structure’s energy efficiency.
After properly sealing doors and windows, Tyler Grace always takes some time to inspect the rest of the structure, looking for other air leakage issues. He uses Loctite TITE Foam products to create reliable and long-lasting air seals.
Are you planning a home remodeling job? Our Where to Buy page lists retailers that stock Loctite products near you.
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