Kitchen
Most kitchens have skirting fitted, but few have it fitted behind kitchen units. Fitting skirting behind units may seem to be a waste – and it could make fitting the kitchen units, particularly integrated appliances, more difficult – but the airtightness of a kitchen can be dramatically increased if it is sealed from top to bottom. Sink wastes should be ‘cored’ through and sealed before units are fitted. Boiler exhausts/vents should be sealed, along with water pipes, particularly where they are fitted through the ceiling.
Bathrooms
In line with the principles for kitchens cited above, skirting should be fitted behind baths where possible. Bath/sink and toilet wastes should be sealed along with the water supply pipes. In some instances, ‘traps’ fitted beneath baths and specifically shower trays are ‘cut’ into the floor to allow for their physical size, and to make fitting easier. The cutting away of sections of floor for this purpose causes serious air leakage and should be avoided wherever possible. Bath and shower panels should be fitted and sealed.
Other general areas
Radiator pipes should be sealed where they emerge from the floor, but more importantly, where flexible piping is used and fitted through the plasterboard behind the radiators. Proprietary fittings should be used and additionally sealed if ill-fitting. Skirting to all rooms should be sealed top and bottom, including skirting to internal walls. Trickle vents should be closed prior to the attendance of the air tester.
Floors
This includes timber and concrete beam and block suspended floors – ventilation grilles, underfloor heating systems, gaps found around the perimeter, large gaps around pipes that go through the wall etc.
Floorboards
Or blocks, including service pipes etc.
Windows and doors
Incorrectly fitting units that leave gaps that can be exploited by wasted air.
Joists
Or other areas that go through walls, such as services.
Windowsills
And reveals, such as gaps around the casements etc.
Holes or gaps between plasterboard dry linings and ceilings
Partition walls (internally)
Loft hatches/access
Poorly sealed units that leave gaps.
Recessed lights
These are within the ceiling, and ceiling roses also have the potential to leak air.
Soil and vent pipes
Including flue stacks.
Extractor fans
Including cooker hoods.
Service pipes
Including waste pipes, cables etc.
Leakage through walls
Gaps between external walls and solid build floors