Is it possible to pressure test the wind shelter when the house is being built?

[Robert20]

We are building a passive house in a wind-exposed location. When testing a house's pressure, it's usually the interior tightness that is tested. But for the insulation to be effective, the air must remain still within the insulation. Therefore, you need to ensure that the exterior is sufficiently windproof. The house is now built with exterior gypsum and windows (and doors) with taped seams. But no insulation or vapor barrier yet.

Now should be a good time to pressure test the "exterior."
But I can't find any information about testing for wind tightness. It seems to be uncommon.

I might be thinking wrong, but shouldn't this be at least as important as pressure testing for diffusion tightness?

Is there anyone who can advise me on the method and/or someone who does this in West Sweden? Best regards, Robert

 

[fribygg]

We are building a passive house in a wind-exposed location. When a house is pressure tested, it's usually the tightness on the inside that's tested. But for the insulation to be effective, the air must remain still within the insulation. Therefore, you need to ensure that the exterior is sufficiently windproofed. The house is currently built with exterior gypsum and windows (and doors) with taped joints. But no insulation or vapor barrier yet.

Now should be a good time to pressure test the "outside."
But I can't find any information on testing wind tightness. It seems to be uncommon.

I might be thinking wrong, but shouldn't this be at least as important as pressure testing vapor tightness?

Is there anyone who can give me tips on a method and/or someone who does this in West Sweden?
Best regards,
Robert?

If you are prone to worry, you could hire whoever is going to pressure test the entire construction for an extra pressure test of the exterior if you know what tightness is required?

 

[Daniel 109]

Yes, you are thinking wrong. The windstopper should be permeable. So it cannot be pressure tested, it should rather be inspected in an appropriate way.

 

[Robert20]

Our builder has been in touch with a company that pressure tests. They say it's never done because the drywall "breathes". But just as you say, it's probably just a question of how much it is allowed to leak. However, I don't know what value is acceptable. Maybe someone here in the forum knows?

 

[Düsseldorff]

I don't understand how you think it would work. Please describe.

 

[Robert20]

Yes, you're thinking wrong. The wind barrier should be permeable. So it cannot be pressure tested, it should rather be inspected in an appropriate way.

Of course, the wind barrier should be vapor-permeable. But it shouldn't be too open. I don't want the air in the insulation to change too quickly. Then the insulation loses its ability.

 

[Robert20]

I don't understand how you think that would work. Please describe.

When pressure testing "the inside," you seal all penetrations (pipes, etc.), tape a film in a window or door opening, attach a fan to the film, and create a positive pressure in the house. Then you measure the amount of air the fan adds = the leakage. This should also be possible even if there is a larger leakage (like in the weather barrier, which is diffusion-open). But I have no idea what would be a reasonable value for this leakage.

 

[Bläcktudan]

This may be the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Instead, trust the builder who is doing the job. It's probably not their first time screwing outdoor gypsum. Even on large constructions, we don't "pressure test" the weather/wind protection.

 

[mexitegel]

Trust instead the builder who performs the job.

And that must be the dumbest thing written here for ages . The whole forum is full of threads where the builder hasn't done their job well at all. You trust your builder by ensuring they pass inspections, anything else is naive.

All important steps should be checked, but unfortunately, it's probably too late for TS now since the weather barrier is best checked through a visual inspection.

 

[Bläcktudan]

And that must be the dumbest thing written here in years . The whole forum is full of threads where the builder hasn't handled things well at all. You trust your builder by making sure they pass inspections, anything else is naive.

All important steps should be inspected, unfortunately, the OP might be too late now since the wind shield is best inspected visually.

Maybe it's because people are greedy and believe they will get the same work done even if the price is half. Preferably with imported labor. Regardless, you can't come and demand a bunch of extras, the builder manages the work in contact with the QA. If you want, hire an inspector. You can't come up with any other demands.

 

[AndersS]

I don't quite understand how you can create a shell that includes both the floor and the ceiling that can be tested because the only way is to pressure test.
If it is not yet insulated, you can visually check that there are no holes/gaps in the exterior's vapor barrier, both from the inside and outside. And the wind barrier on the outside should also include the final facade.

 

[mexitegel]

Perhaps it is because people are greedy and think they get the same job done even if it's half the price. Preferably with imported labor. Regardless, you can't come and set a bunch of requirements, the builder handles the job in contact with KA, if you want, bring in an inspector. You can't impose any other requirements

As a developer, I can set basically any requirements I want. In TS's case, it would have been appropriate to address this in the inspection plan.

 

[Bläcktudan]

As a builder, I can set practically any requirements I want. In TS's case, it would have been appropriate to address this in the control plan.

Absolutely not, what you and the control inspector include in the control plan can be checked by your control inspector. Often, it's the control inspector who is the assessor and not you as the builder. This is to keep a usually uninformed/unknowing person out. As a builder, you have no say in how the job should be executed. If you're doubtful or dissatisfied, you should conduct an independent inspection.

 

[Robert20]

And that must be the dumbest thing written here in years . The whole forum is full of threads where the builder hasn't done their job properly at all. You trust your builder because they pass the checks; anything else is naive.

All important steps should be checked; unfortunately, it might be too late for TS now because the wind barrier is easiest to inspect visually.

No, I don't think it's too late for a visual inspection. The seams are taped. The facade cladding isn't on yet. I have great confidence in our builder. To my amateur eye, it looks well done. But it's easy to miss something. Everyone can make mistakes, and pressure testing is confirmation that it's OK.

 

[Installation]

No, I don't think it's too late for a visual inspection. The joints are taped. The facade cladding is not yet in place. I have great confidence in our builder. To my amateur eye, it looks well done. But it's easy to miss something. Everyone can make mistakes, and pressure testing is a confirmation that it's okay.

You cannot pressure test the wind barrier. It is performed when the house is covered with plastic on the inside.