Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Gap in wall skirting, window frames, cabinet and garage 8Dec 12, 2019 12:22 pm Hi brightstarshine, We built this year and now renovating another house (for rental) and we've put in a fair effort on air sealing both properties. Although I wasn't specifically targeting pests, when you seal for air leakage it inevitably creates barriers for insects/rodents. During our new build we were fortunate to have a construction key so did the sealing work ourselves. My opinion is most builders could not care less about air leakage or pest control. I think when it comes to additional costs up front for the builder that will only benefit the home owner later on.....well there isn't much incentive for the builder unless they genuinely care about their product/client. Anyhow our builder was no different in the respect that they did not consider properly sealing much of our building envelope. Like others have said much of your issues can still be easily sorted out, but the skirting<>floor gaps are difficult now that floor coverings are down. Gaps around window architraves are an obvious/easy starrting point, and for this I would suggest this product: https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-300g-solar-flex-clear_p1230141 If you have very large gaps, you could start by filling the bulk of the gap with a cheaper acrylic product like this (before applying a more flexible, paintable product like the solar flex): https://www.bunnings.com.au/parfix-475g-white-gap-filler_p1232535 This cheaper Parfix filler is great for getting the larger holes filled, but it will shrink slightly on drying and will not provide flexibility So I would suggest a more flexible sealant over the top. ** Be aware that if you use a silicon type product they typically cannot be painted over. Having said that the tops of your architraves are out-of-sight, so not likely an issue for this area. I have recently tested this product, and bought it in 'transparent' and it goes on white and dries clear. It also should be more flexible and shrinks less than the cheaper filler above....so maybe just go with this product instead of swapping between the Parfix and the Solar Flex?: https://www.bunnings.com.au/sika-300ml-sikaseal-super-200-translucent-gap-sealant_p1210285 Anyhow I would suggest practicing on a less visible area (eg. toilet window?). One good tip is buy a bottle of this: https://www.bunnings.com.au/silicone-accessory-maxisila-250ml-smoothtex-bathroom_p6656669 Put this with water in a spray bottle and after applying the caulk lightly spray before running down with either a wet finger or paddle-pop stick. Anyhow this will definitely help with air leakage and pest control, but also consider:
I wouldn't worry too much about your garage, this will be challenging to fully seal, so just work on the access door from garage<>house. Anyhow your arch's are a good starting point. Good luck One area I would look at specifically on your flooringskirt joins is any wall adjacent to your garage. With a typical step-down garage slab, there is quite a large gap normally that would make it easy for critters to get in. You can see here we used mostly expanding foam to fully seal this area along our entrance hall and in one of the bedrooms.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Heating/Cooling air returns are also a great spot for air leakage....so also possibly pests?. You don't have to go as far as we did....fully lining it with MDF. But I would suggest pulling your grill off and see what you can in regards to ensuring there are no gaps to wall and roof cavities.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Check our Homeone build blog here Re: Gap in wall skirting, window frames, cabinet and garage 9Dec 12, 2019 12:25 pm I should add that since we moved in a month or so ago I am yet to spot any insects or rodents in the house at all. Not even a single ant? So I can only assume our air sealing efforts have also paid off with making it harder for insects to get in. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Check our Homeone build blog here For your reference Performance Labels: Window assemblies in housing, except timber windows, must be labelled so the label can be seen when it is in situ. For timber… 6 10113 2 7768 |