[Greenbuilding] Sealing in VOC's

[Keith Winston]

I am inclined to agree with you. On one job we put a VOC-sealing paint 
on OSB, I believe, and the place smelled for months. I am skeptical. I'm 
inclined to say, let the materials off-gas (if you haven't avoided VOC's 
to begin with), and THEN seal the wall. Since, after all, we all have 
PLENTY of time on our building projects to add an extra month here or 
there...

Warmly, Keith


Steve Hussey wrote:
> I work for a Conservation District and one of my jobs is to advise  
> people on greenbuilding. I have been asked this question:
>
> The client has a wife who is very chemically sensitive and is  
> building a new green home. The builder specified, on my  
> recommendation, that low VOC paints and finishes be used throughout.  
> The painters came in and primed all the drywall walls with Rodda Varr  
> primer that is high VOC (106 gm/litre. They claimed that people only  
> specify low VOC paints to be 'green' and that using a regular primer  
> is fine. Sigh.
>
> The client has asked the question as to whether the VOCs can be  
> sealed in before painting with the low VOC paint, or whether there  
> are any other options. My gut instinct is: Sealing in the VOCs will  
> reduce off gassing but make it take much longer.
>
> Maybe he should heat and ventilate the house for a set period prior  
> to occupancy to off gas as much as possible? They do have a whole  
> house HRV to ventilate year round.
>
> Maybe they should rip the drywall out of the bedroom at least and use  
> fresh drywall and a low VOC primer. I doubt they can afford to rip  
> all the drywall out.
>
> Any thoughts? Any way to measure VOC offgassing in the finished  
> building?
>
> Steve Hussey
> Natural Resources Planner
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Keith Winston
Earth Sun Energy Systems
Hyattsville, MD 20781
301-980-6325
send me mail at 
keith at the company below
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