The “Hurricane Test” for leaks
burninate
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
Thought you guys might be interested in this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_gZ5FrbfSk
So the idea is that after sheathing, windows/doors, and WRB is up, but before insulating, you use a blower door to depressurize the house by 100-250 pascals (about 28mph-44mph wind), and you spray the exterior with copious quantities of water mist, then search for leaks inside to see if there are any areas that need additional sealing against air/water. A thermal camera helps you by giving contrast on the water.
The comments mention the potential to add soap so that you get bubbling.
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Replies
It’s an interesting idea, somewhat similar to how they test seals around car doors. I thought it was odd that they tested without any cladding up, since cladding would help to shed water, but I suppose they are trying to test just the WRB layer and associated seals.
Their test would show “leaks” around any flashing that wasn’t sealed, even if the flashing was supposed to work by gravity. In this way, their test is a bit excessively extreme unless you’re in an area prone to severe wind-drive rain.
I’m surprised their blower door could run up such a high pressure differential too. Pretty impressive :-)
Bill
I would not use soap/detergent on many WRB's, as it can cause sometimes cause the products to leak (lose the material's ability to keep water out).