Whole House Leakage Testing in Gresham, OR

Whole house leakage testing (blower door testing) in Gresham, OR to locate air leaks, quantify energy waste, and guide sealing. A blower door test is diagnostic and directional. It gives clear priorities for sealing that deliver measurable energy savings and IAQ improvements in Gresham homes vulnerable to damp winters and drafty construction. For long-term success, pair sealing with proper ventilation, routine HVAC maintenance, and periodic retesting after major remodels or system changes. Well-executed leakage testing and targeted repairs preserve comfort, reduce energy waste, and help maintain healthy indoor air year round.

Whole House Leakage Testing in Gresham, OR

Whole-house leakage testing, commonly called blower door testing, is a diagnostic step that reveals where conditioned air escapes and unconditioned air infiltrates your home. In Gresham, OR, where cool, wet winters and a growing number of retrofit projects make energy efficiency and indoor air quality top concerns, a professional IAQ whole house leakage test gives clear, actionable data so you can prioritize air sealing, reduce energy waste, and improve comfort and moisture control.

Why whole-house leakage testing matters in Gresham, OR

Homes in Gresham face seasonal moisture and heating demands that magnify the effects of air leaks. Leaky building envelopes let cold, damp air enter and warm, humid air escape, increasing heating runtime, producing drafts, and raising the risk of condensation and mold. Air leakage also undermines filtration and ventilation efforts, allowing outdoor pollutants and dust to bypass your HVAC system. A blower door test quantifies leakage and identifies the most impactful leak locations so improvements are targeted and cost effective.

Common IAQ whole house leakage testing issues in Gresham homes

• Attic bypasses: Gaps at attic hatchs, recessed lights, and plumbing stacks are frequent paths for heat loss and moisture movement.  
• Rim joists and band joists: Poorly sealed rim joists let cold air into walls and create cold spots that attract condensation.  
• Crawl space and foundation penetrations: Unsealed vents, gaps around pipes, and sill plate cracks draw in unconditioned air and soil moisture.  
• Window and door leaks: Older frames, misaligned doors, and deteriorated weatherstripping create consistent drafts.  
• Duct leakage: Leaky ductwork in unconditioned spaces wastes conditioned air and can pull in dust, insulation fibers, or combustion byproducts.  
• Penetrations for utilities: Cable, HVAC, and plumbing penetrations through walls and floors are often overlooked but add up.

What the IAQ whole house leakage (blower door) test includes

A professional blower door test follows a standard, methodical process so results are reliable and comparable to targets.

Initial walkthrough and history  

• Review construction age, past upgrades, and occupant comfort complaints.  

Baseline measurements  

• Install the blower door and measure baseline pressure and leakage. Reported results often include ACH50 (air changes per hour at 50 pascals) and CFM50 (cubic feet per minute at 50 pascals). Typical numbers help prioritize work.  

Diagnostic testing  

• Use smoke pencils, thermal imaging, and visual inspection while the blower door is running to locate leaks.  
• Optional duct leakage test to quantify duct system losses.  

Reporting and prioritization  

• Provide a clear report with measured values, identified leak locations, and recommended repairs ranked by energy savings and IAQ impact.  

Verification test  

• After sealing work, perform a follow-up blower door to verify improvements and document the new ACH50 or CFM50.

Common sealing strategies and repairs

Sealing strategies are selected based on diagnostic findings, budget, and the desired outcome for comfort and IAQ.

• Air sealing of attic penetrations: Seal around chimneys, recessed lights, attic hatches, and plumbing stacks with appropriate fire-rated materials.  
• Rim joist and band joist sealing: Use spray foam or caulk and backer rod to block cold air pathways at the top of foundation walls.  
• Weatherstripping and thresholds: Replace worn weatherstripping on doors and sashes to eliminate drafts.  
• Window repairs and storm windows: Where replacement is not planned, add storm windows or seal gaps for immediate benefit.  
• Duct sealing: Apply mastic or mechanical fastening and sealing, or consider duct sealing services like Aeroseal for systemic leaks.  
• Penetration sealing: Foam, caulk, and grommets for electrical and plumbing penetrations.  
• Attic insulation upgrades: Combine air sealing with additional insulation to maximize thermal performance and reduce condensation risk.

Anticipated energy-efficiency and comfort gains

Results vary with home size, construction, and how leaky the home was to begin with, but typical outcomes are measurable and meaningful.

• Heating energy reduction: Many homes see heating energy use drop by roughly 10 to 30 percent after targeted air sealing and insulation improvements. Homes with very high initial leakage can see larger reductions.  
• Improved comfort: Fewer drafts, more consistent room temperatures, and reduced cold spots around exterior walls.  
• Reduced HVAC runtime: Shorter heating cycles reduce wear on equipment and can improve system longevity. This especially benefits heat pump systems common in the Pacific Northwest.  
• Lower moisture risk: Less uncontrolled infiltration reduces condensation potential in walls and attics, lowering mold risk during wet Gresham winters.  
• Cleaner indoor air: With controlled leakage and balanced ventilation, filtration works more effectively and outdoor pollutants are less likely to enter uncontrolled.

Follow-up services to improve comfort and indoor air quality

A comprehensive IAQ approach pairs leakage testing and sealing with complementary services to sustain gains.

• Verification blower door retest: Confirms achieved leakage reductions and documents performance.  
• Duct cleaning and sealing: Ensures the distribution system is delivering clean, sealed air.  
• Ventilation strategy design: After tightening the envelope, an intentional ventilation plan such as HRV or ERV maintains fresh air while minimizing energy penalty.  
• HVAC tune-up and sizing review: Adjust system controls and assess whether equipment needs resizing after reduced load.  
• Insulation upgrades: Addressing thermal bypass and adding insulation often provides the best combined comfort and energy improvements.  
• Combustion safety testing: For homes with combustion appliances, ensure sealing does not create backdrafting risks.