U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Plumbing/Piping

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Plumbing/piping

Scope


Air Sealing

 

Plumbing/Piping

  1. Using a saw or drill, cleanly cut all penetrating holes no more than 1 inch larger in diameter than the penetrating object to allow for proper air sealing.
  2. Seal all gaps and holes to unconditioned space with caulk or foam. Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used for sealing gaps.

 

 

 

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Description


Generous holes are often cut through subflooring, walls, bottom plates, and top plates for plumbing pipes and vent stacks. These gaps are often hidden from view in under-sink cabinets, beneath tubs, behind shower enclosures, behind washing machines and dishwashers, or within wall cavities. If not properly closed up, large amounts of air can pass through these gaps, encouraged by pressure and temperature differences between conditioned and unconditioned spaces. These air leaks represent energy losses; they could also potentially allow warm, moisture-laden air into wall cavities or attics where it can condense on cold surfaces, creating moisture problems. Conversely, air leaking into the house from unconditioned sources such as the garage or crawlspace can affect indoor air quality and cause drafts. Air barriers need to be continuous to be effective; this means sealing all penetrations in exterior walls and in walls and floors adjoining unconditioned spaces.

Be sure to schedule sealing of plumbing holes after the pipes and plumbing have been installed and before the drywall is completed. Responsibility for sealing air leaks around plumbing should be included in the contract for the appropriate trade, depending on the workflow at a specific job site.

How to Air Seal Holes around Plumbing

1. Use caulk or canned spray foam to seal piping holes through the top plates, bottom plates, and subfloor. Avoid running water pipes along exterior walls. Run piping next to floor joists in floors if insulating with batts to minimize disruption of cavity insulation. Water pipes should be insulated to R-3 (2012 IECC) even when they are installed in interior walls, to conserve the heat in hot water and to minimize the potential for condensation.

 

Foam holes for plumbing in the top plate, sill plate, or subfloor  Reference

 

 

2. For larger holes in the top or bottom plate, use a rubber gasket. Use of a flexible gasket allows some movement of the vent stack without loosening the air seal (Lstiburek 2009).

  1. Cut a hole in the gasket to just fit the width of the pipe.
  2. Apply caulk to the top plate. 
  3. Fit the gasket over the pipe and press down to adhere the gasket to the caulk.
  4. Staple the gasket in place. 
  5. Apply more caulk around the pipe.

 

Install a gasket around the plumbing vent stack in the exterior top plateReference

 

3. Use caulk or canned spray foam to seal the holes made in rim joists for plumbing pipes. Keep the pipe runs close to the floor joists to avoid compressing the insulation.

 

 

Seal plumbing holes in rim joist with caulkReference

 

4. Use caulk or pre-fabricated gaskets to seal around the plumbing pipe penetrations in exterior walls. Make sure the gasket is properly integrated with the house wrap and that cuts in the house wrap around the gasket are taped or caulked.

 

Seal plumbing penetrations in exterior walls with caulk or a gasketReference

 

5. For bath tubs on outside walls, avoid running the water pipes along the exterior walls, if possible. Install piping, then air seal any holes in the exterior wall framing or subfloor.

  1. If the tub or shower is installed on an exterior wall, insulate and air seal the exterior wall behind the tub with sheet goods before the tub is installed. [See Walls behind Showers and Tubs for insulating and air sealing exterior walls behind showers and tubs.]
  2. After the drain is installed, seal the hole around the tub drain pipe with canned spray foam. For larger holes, seal the hole with pieces of water-resistant sheet goods such as rigid foam or cement backer board that is cut to fit around the pipe and caulked or foamed in place. 

 

Use sheet goods to seal holes around drain pipes under the tubReference



Ensuring Success


Holes around plumbing pipes should be visually checked to see if caulk, canned spray foam, and air blocking materials have been applied before insulation and drywall are installed. Blower door testing, which is conducted as part of the whole-house energy performance test-out, may help indicate whether holes for plumbing in exterior walls and floors have been successfully sealed.



Climate


No climate specific information applies.



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Compliance


ENERGY STAR Version 3, (Rev. 6)

Thermal Enclosure Checklist, Air Sealing. Plumbing/piping penetrations to unconditioned space fully sealed with solid blocking or flashing as needed and gaps sealed with caulk or foam.

 

DOE Challenge Home

Exhibit 1: Mandatory Requirements. Certified under ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Version 3.

 

2009 IECC

Table 402.4.2 Air Barrier and insulation Inspection Component Criteria, Shafts, penetrations: Duct shafts, utility penetrations, and flue shafts opening to exterior or unconditioned spare are air sealed.* Table 402.4.2 Air Barrier and insulation Inspection Component Criteria, Plumbing and wiring: Insulation is placed between outside and pipes. Batt insulation is cut to fit around wiring and plumbing, or sprayed/blown insulation extends behind piping and wiring.*

 

2009 IRC

Section P2606.1 General. Roof and exterior wall penetrations to be made water tight. Joints at the roof, around vent pipes, to have lead, copper or galvanized iron flashings or approved elastomeric material.* Table N1102.4.2 Air Barrier and insulation Inspection Component Criteria, Shafts, penetrations: Duct shafts, utility penetrations, and flue shafts opening to exterior or unconditioned spare are air sealed.* Table N1102.4.2 Air Barrier and insulation Inspection Component Criteria, Plumbing and wiring: Insulation is placed between outside and pipes. Batt insulation is cut to fit around wiring and plumbing, or sprayed/blown insulation extends behind piping and wiring.*

 

2012 IECC

Table R402.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, Shafts/penetrations: Duct shafts, utility penetrations, and flue shafts opening to exterior or unconditioned space are air sealed. Table R402.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, Plumbing and wiring: Insulation is placed between the exterior of the wall assembly and pipes. Batt insulation is cut and fitted around wiring and plumbing, or for insulation that on installation readily conforms to available space such insulation shall fill all space between wall and piping/wiring.*

 

2012 IRC

Section P2607.1 General. Roof and exterior wall penetrations to be made water tight. Joints at the roof, around vent pipes, to have lead, copper or galvanized iron flashings or approved elastomeric material.* Table N1102.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, Shafts/penetrations: Duct shafts, utility penetrations, and flue shafts opening to exterior or unconditioned space are air sealed. Table N11402.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, Plumbing and wiring: Insulation is placed between the exterior of the wall assembly and pipes. Batt insulation is cut and fitted around wiring and plumbing, or for insulation that on installation readily conforms to available space such insulation shall fill all space between wall and piping/wiring.*

 


*Due to copyright restrictions, exact code text is not provided. For specific code text, refer to the applicable code.



Case Studies

None Available


References

  1. 2009 IECC—International Energy Conservation Code

    2009 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code. International Code Council, Washington, D.C.

  2. 2009 IRC—International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings

    2009 IRC, International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings. 2009. Fifth Printing. International Code Council, Washington, D.C. 

  3. 2012 IECC—International Energy Conservation Code

    2012 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code.  International Code Council, Washington, D.C.

  4. 2012 IRC—International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings

    2012 IRC, International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings. 2012. Second Printing. International Code Council, Washington, D.C.

  5. Building America Best Practices Series Volume 12: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates

    Baechler MC, TL Gilbride, MG Hefty, PC Cole, and PM Love.  2011.  Building America Best Practices Series Volume 12: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates. PNNL-20139. Prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Program.

  6. DOE Challenge Home National Program Requirements

    DOE. 2012. DOE Challenge Home National Program Requirements (Rev. 02). Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.

  7. ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 06) Inspection Checklist for National Program Requirements

    EPA. 2012. ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 06) Inspection Checklist for National Program Requirements. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

  8. Sealing Air Barrier Penetrations

    Lstiburek, J. 2009. Sealing Air Barrier Penetrations. Information Sheet 405. Prepared by the Building Science Corporation for the Department of Energy's Building America Program.

  9. Technology Fact Sheet – Air Sealing

    Southface Energy Institute and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 1999. Technology Fact Sheet – Air Sealing. Prepared by Southface Energy Institute and Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program.

  10. Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist Guidebook

    EPA. 2011. Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist Guidebook. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.



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