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Finding that draught

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  • 07-10-2020 8:12pm
    #1
    sidcon
    Registered Users Posts: 632 ✭✭✭


    Ok so bought a bungalow that was G rated on BER in 2012 and for the last few years while living in it we have done a number of improvements to improve it. Attic insolation , triple glazing whole house, central heating. We have one major extension plan for next year to convert the attic making the house double in size. Pp approved already.
    The last few days however as its getting colder we're noticing a draught but have done nothing this year so baffled as to were its coming from and where we are loosing heat from.
    Short of getting a BER assessor in, anyone recommend what I can do to find where the gaps are?


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    #2
    wait4me
    Registered Users Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭wait4me


    Check around your skirting boards -I had a similar problem some years ago. A badly installed wall vent and gaps between the slabs and floor, meant a breeze was blowing through the bottoms of the skirting boards. Might not be this but worth a look. Carefully bring a lit candle and see what happens the flame.


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    #3
    listermint
    Registered Users Posts: 33,640 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Open chimney / s ?


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    #4
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users Posts: 2,823 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    sidcon wrote: »
    Ok so bought a bungalow that was G rated on BER in 2012 and for the last few years while living in it we have done a number of improvements to improve it. Attic insolation , triple glazing whole house, central heating. We have one major extension plan for next year to convert the attic making the house double in size. Pp approved already.
    The last few days however as its getting colder we're noticing a draught but have done nothing this year so baffled as to were its coming from and where we are loosing heat from.
    Short of getting a BER assessor in, anyone recommend what I can do to find where the gaps are?

    Probably not diy but may pay dividends when you do your conversion would be to have the house tested for airtightness / heat loss in general*. This will
    1. determine exactly where your air leaks are now, but more importantly
    2. educate you on the whole concept of air tight construction which will have ramifications for your attic conversion.

    *Note this is a completely different kettle of fish than a ber assessment, so don't confuse the two.


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    #5
    sidcon
    Registered Users Posts: 632 ✭✭✭sidcon


    listermint wrote: »
    Open chimney / s ?

    No fully fitted stove fire so sealed once door is closed.


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    #6
    sidcon
    Registered Users Posts: 632 ✭✭✭sidcon


    wait4me wrote: »
    Check around your skirting boards -I had a similar problem some years ago. A badly installed wall vent and gaps between the slabs and floor, meant a breeze was blowing through the bottoms of the skirting boards. Might not be this but worth a look. Carefully bring a lit candle and see what happens the flame.

    Thanks, how did you find out it was around the skirting. Or is it as you say literally a lit candle.


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    #7
    sidcon
    Registered Users Posts: 632 ✭✭✭sidcon


    MicktheMan wrote: »
    Probably not diy but may pay dividends when you do your conversion would be to have the house tested for airtightness / heat loss in general*. This will
    1. determine exactly where your air leaks are now, but more importantly
    2. educate you on the whole concept of air tight construction which will have ramifications for your attic conversion.

    *Note this is a completely different kettle of fish than a ber assessment, so don't confuse the two.

    Cheers, with 2, is this condensation concerns?


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    #8
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users Posts: 2,823 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    sidcon wrote: »
    Cheers, with 2, is this condensation concerns?

    Yes, absolutely, so appropriate ventilation required. All this is part of the education process.


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    #9
    Lumen
    Registered Users Posts: 31,010 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    sidcon wrote: »
    No fully fitted stove fire so sealed once door is closed.
    Where does it draw air from?


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    #10
    wait4me
    Registered Users Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭wait4me


    sidcon wrote: »
    Thanks, how did you find out it was around the skirting. Or is it as you say literally a lit candle.

    It was the breeze! We had some dampness in the room and went to investigate. We made the vent better (there was no pipe running from inside to outside, just vent openings on both inside and outside walls); sealed it much better around the pipe and then sealed the gap between the "short" slabs and the floor. Haven't had a problem since, fingers crossed.


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    #11
    prochida
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭prochida


    Had draughts coming through gaps in reclaimed timber floor and skirting.

    Used a stretchy neoprene filler called Draughtex.

    Have full roll leftover up on adverts

    https://www.adverts.ie/other-diy-renovation/floorboard-gap-draught-filler-draghtex-10m-x-10-mm-gaps-2-7mm/21896637

    Incense sticks are a good indicator of draughts instead of a candle.


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