Methods and structures for sealing air gaps in a building

Abstract

Provided a method of sealing air gaps between floor joists and a band joist using an elastomeric paint sprayed under pressure to fill the air gaps.

1 . A method of sealing an air gap in a band joist of a building structure, the method comprising: 
 applying an elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between floor joists and a band joist in a building structure to fill the air gap; and    allowing said elastomeric paint to dry and provide a seal in the air gap which maintains a seal during seasonal temperature changes.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint is sprayed under pressure.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint is sprayed using airless paint spraying equipment.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint is formulated to provide the combination of having sufficient solids to fill a crack of about {fraction (1/16)} to about ⅛ inch with one spray pass and having a low enough viscosity to be sprayable using an airless sprayer.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint has sufficient elasticity when dry to account for normal expansion and contraction of the building structure during a change of seasons.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint is mold, mildew and algae resistant.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint has either a Class A or B fire rating when dry.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint is water based.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises an elastomeric acrylic formulation.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises an elastomeric acrylic formulation having urethane components.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises a silicone formulation.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises a blend of two or more paints.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing insulation to expose an air gap between the floor joists and the band joist in a building structure to which the elastomeric paint is to be applied.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising applying the elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between the band joist and a floor in a building structure to fill the air gap.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising applying the elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between the band joist and a sill plate in a building structure to fill the air gap.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising applying the elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between the band joist and a top plate.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising applying the elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between sill plate and a building foundation.  
   
   
       18 . A method of sealing an air gap in a band joist of a building structure, the method comprising: 
 applying an elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between a band joist and at least one of floor joists, a floor above the band joist, a sill plate, and a top plate in a building structure to fill the air gap; and    allowing said elastomeric paint to dry and provide a seal in the air gap which maintains a seal during seasonal temperature changes.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the elastomeric paint is applied between a band joist and the floor joists, the floor above the band joist and the sill plate below the band joist.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the elastomeric paint is applied between a band joist and the floor joists, the floor above the band joist and the top plate below the band joist.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint is sprayed under pressure.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint is sprayed under pressure.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint is formulated to provide the combination of having sufficient solids to fill a crack of about {fraction (1/16)} to about ⅛ inch with one spray pass and having a low enough viscosity to be sprayable using an airless sprayer.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint is formulated to provide the combination of having sufficient solids to fill a crack of about {fraction (1/16)} to about ⅛ inch with one spray pass and having a low enough viscosity to be sprayable using an airless sprayer.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint has sufficient elasticity when dry to account for normal expansion and contraction of the building structure during a change of seasons.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint has sufficient elasticity when dry to account for normal expansion and contraction of the building structure during a change of seasons.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint is mold, mildew and algae resistant.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint has either a Class A or B fire rating when dry.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint is water based.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises an elastomeric acrylic formulation.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises an elastomeric acrylic formulation having urethane components.  
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises a silicone formulation.  
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises a blend of two or more paints.  
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising the step of removing insulation to expose an air gap between the floor joists and the band joist in a building structure to which the elastomeric paint is applied.  
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising applying the elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between the band joist and a floor in a building structure to fill the air gap.  
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising applying the elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between the band joist and a sill plate in a building structure to fill the air gap.  
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint is mold, mildew and algae resistant.  
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint has either a Class A or B fire rating when dry.  
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint is water based.  
   
   
       40 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises an elastomeric acrylic formulation.  
   
   
       41 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises an elastomeric acrylic formulation having urethane components.  
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises a silicone formulation.  
   
   
       43 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric paint comprises a blend of two or more paints.  
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of removing insulation to expose an air gap between the floor joists and the band joist in a building structure to which the elastomeric paint is to be applied.  
   
   
       45 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising applying the elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between the band joist and a floor in a building structure to fill the air gap.  
   
   
       46 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising applying the elastomeric paint into and over an air gap between the band joist and a sill plate in a building structure to fill the air gap.