Are you approaching the point of your property development needing an air tightness test? We have some valuable information for you!
An air tightness test also known as an air leakage or air permeability test is a legal requirement in the UK for selling or buying any property larger than 500m2. This test ensures that your property conforms to environmental and safety legislation and does not leak or retain too much air.
Besides that, you might be surprised to know that air leakage has a significant impact on energy bills. If you’re concerned about energy efficiency in your property, save yourself from hefty energy bills and make your property sustainable, you should consider having an air tightness test done.
However, achieving air tightness is not as simple as it might sound. Many properties intended for letting or selling undergo air tightness tests to measure their performance, and all too often, they fail. The culprit? Common mistakes overlooked by property owners.
The following are 4 common mistakes you should steer clear of to avoid air tightness test failure.
Let’s take a look!
1. Inadequate Building Envelope Preparation
Not preparing your property sufficiently before the test is one of the major reasons that lead to air tightness test failure. To ace the results, check for any gaps or cracks in your walls, doors and windows. Seal them up tightly with the right materials, like caulk or weatherstripping, to prevent the air from leaking in or out during the test.
Additionally, it’s important to close off other openings like electrical outlets, plumbing pipes and HVAC systems to control the movement of air inside the property. Failure to conceal these gaps will ruin the air pressure balance, which will not only compromise the accuracy of the air pressure test but can also lead to wasted energy and cause potential discomfort for your occupants.
2. Testing Conducted in Unfavourable Conditions
Environmental factors like strong winds, extremely cold or hot temperatures, and high levels of rain or humidity can affect the accuracy of your air tightness test. Strong winds can push air into the building through tiny cracks and openings, making it seem less airtight than it is. This could lead to false test failures, making you spend money on fixes you don’t need.
Similarly, extreme temperatures can cause the air inside your building to expand or contract. This affects the air pressure differentiating level on which the test relies on, potentially interfering with the results. Moderate temperatures ensure a stable and consistent testing environment. Therefore, choosing the right weather conditions is important to make sure the air tightness test is conducted without any external factors affecting results.
3. Insufficient Knowledge of Building Codes
The main purpose of building codes is to ensure your properties are safe, energy-efficient and compliant with regulations. These codes may vary from place to place and they can even change over time. If you don’t keep up with them, you might not know what’s required for the air tightness test in your area, which can lead to unintentional violations.
Another thing is that not following the right codes can result in your building not meeting the required standards, which can result in air tightness test failure. Consequently, you might need to implement hefty fixes to make your building compliant. This challenge can be overcome by working with a knowledgeable partner like Gio Property Solutions. We can guide you through the steps, ensuring that everything is done correctly and following the law.
4. Picking the Wrong Service Provider
There are many companies out there that provide air-tightness testing services, but their quality and expertise can vary significantly. Not all of them live up to their commitments. Selecting the wrong service provider might mean they lack the necessary knowledge or experience required to do the job correctly. This deficiency can result in inaccurate testing causing your property to fail the test, when it shouldn’t.
On the contrary, a reputable service provider like Gio Property Solutions possesses the skills and high-quality equipment required to execute the test properly. Our extensive knowledge in this field allows us to minimise the risk of errors or misinterpretations that can arise with an inexperienced provider. In addition to that, we will streamline the testing process within your project’s timeline, ensuring a quick and hassle-free experience.
Contact Gio Property Solutions to Ace Your Air Tightness Test
By avoiding the mistakes discussed above you can ensure that your property is compliant with regulatory standards in the UK and provide your occupants with a healthy living environment. If you require an air tightness test, make sure to choose someone reliable and certified to conduct it, and provide you with an accurate result.
Armed with years of knowledge and top-quality equipment, the team at Gio Property Solutions can provide precise information on your building’s air tightness.
We also provide energy performance certificates so you can improve your property’s energy performance and ensure your building is compliant with codes and regulations. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service, so rest assured you are relying on the right people for the job.
To learn more, visit our air tightness testing page or contact us to book an appointment today!
