BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Wrong – Air barrier not sealed

Wrong – Air barrier not sealed

Image

Right – Air barrier sealed

Right – Air barrier sealed

Image

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

Air sealing at corner vertical bathtub chase

Air sealing at corner vertical bathtub chase

CAD File

Air sealing behind shower with thin-profile sheathing

CAD File

Air sealing behind shower with cavity rigid insulation

Air sealing behind shower with cavity rigid insulation

CAD File

Air sealing behind tub with cavity rigid insulation

Air sealing behind tub with cavity rigid insulation

CAD File

Wrong – Kitchen exhaust has not been air sealed

Wrong – Kitchen exhaust has not been air sealed

Image

Air sealing behind tub with thin-profile sheathing - section

CAD File

Building America Energy Performance Brief: Insulating & Air Sealing Tubs

Case Study

Case study describing the techniques involved with insulating and air sealing tub space prior to installation in order to prevent drafts and moisture escaping.

Air seal around kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to keep conditioned air from leaking into unconditioned space.

Air seal around kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to keep conditioned air from leaking into unconditioned space.

Image

Air seal and insulate around the exhaust fan with a rigid foam box

Image

Wrong - Two exhaust terminations are joined in a roughly cut, restrictive hole that is not air sealed.

Wrong - Two exhaust terminations are joined in a roughly cut, restrictive hole that is not air sealed.

Image

Right – Fan with a cleanly cut and properly sized hole has been air sealed to drywall

Right – Fan with a cleanly cut and properly sized hole has been air sealed to drywall

Image

Right – An escutcheon is installed on this toilet tank pipe to help air seal around the pipe and prevent pest entry.

Right – An escutcheon is installed on this toilet tank pipe to help air seal around the pipe and prevent pest entry.

Image

Right – The PEX piping and sink drain of this bathroom sink are fitted with escutcheons that help to air seal around the pipes and prevent pest entry.

Right – The PEX piping and sink drain of this bathroom sink are fitted with escutcheons that help to air seal around the pipes and prevent pest entry.

Image

This builder installs spray foam in exterior wall cavities where tubs and showers will be installed to air seal and insulate the exterior wall.

This builder installs spray foam in exterior wall cavities where tubs and showers will be installed to air seal and insulate the exterior wall.

Image

The polyethylene ceiling vapor barrier is sealed to form an air barrier around the exhaust fan in this very cold climate location (≥ CZ 6).

The polyethylene ceiling vapor barrier is sealed to form an air barrier around the exhaust fan in this very cold climate location (≥ CZ 6).

Image

Wrong - Bathroom fan not caulked and sealed

Wrong - Bathroom fan not caulked and sealed

Image

Wrong - Bathroom fan not caulked and sealed

Wrong - Bathroom fan not caulked and sealed

Image

Right – Kitchen exhaust penetration has been sealed with caulk

Right – Kitchen exhaust penetration has been sealed with caulk

Image

Wrong – Roughly cut hole that is larger than the fan, making it difficult to seal

Wrong – Roughly cut hole that is larger than the fan, making it difficult to seal

Image

Wrong – Roughly cut hole that is larger than the fan, making it difficult to seal

Wrong – Roughly cut hole that is larger than the fan, making it difficult to seal

Image

After cleaning the exhaust fan, the gap around the fan between the fan housing and the drywall should be caulked to stop air leakage from the house to the attic

After cleaning the exhaust fan, the gap around the fan between the fan housing and the drywall should be caulked to stop air leakage from the house to the attic

Image

Bathroom Exhaust

Video

Video describing how to seal fan ducts.

Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans (1)

Video

Video describing how to properly install a retrofit bath fan.

Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans (2)

Video

Video describing how to properly install a retrofit vent cap.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

Guide

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind showers and tubs.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs (2)

Video

Video describing how to properly insulate walls behind showers and tubs.

Cement Board Installed behind Tile and Panel Tub and Shower Enclosures

Guide

Guide describing how to install moisture-resistant materials on walls behind showers and tubs to help manage moisture.