I experienced my first blower-door-test today. The test was called (before plastering) to see how good sealing (taping joints etc.) was to date. And if there was anything that needed improving or had been over looked.
The crew arrive for the test well prepared with door blower and l
laptop in Hand. The blower and the generator to power the testing was put in place fairly swiftly. Good start, I thought.
Little did I know then, that 3 and a half hours later, all would not be going as well as I hoped…
After the initial set up, there were software problems. Several phones calls made and received, testing began. Unfortunately the gentlemen making the test were not able to do a "smoke test". By using a tool that emits artificial smoke, one can pinpoint potential openings in the building envelope. Nor were they able to give us any results right away. It will take a few days for the results to come back.
In all, disappointing. What’s the point of the test if one cannot find out right away how good or bad sealing efforts are? The builder must move on anyway and continue his work, without knowing how good his efforts to date are. Next step plaster boarding.
1 comment:
Hi Zeno,
Like the Blog.
We haven't done a blower test yet -were you required to do it or did you decide to have it done yourself?
Sounds like it was a mixed success.
Keep up the good work.
See you in Dublin sometime?
Stephen Collins
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