Tonytray started. Airtight membrane installed around joist ends/blocks. Intention was to tape airtight membrane to the airtight layer (which for various reasons will be the inner face of plasterboard).

Unfortunately builder on his own arranged to staple the airtight membrane to the inner leaf blocks for convenience. (pic shows staples, with first floor joists seen at bottom).

Is there a simple solution to making the membrane airtight again, after removing the staples? Is there a way to remove construction staples with minimal damage to the airtight membrane? Also, how best to seal tears in the membrane?

Is there a clever way to get around the problem without needed to undo the staples?

Separate question: given a reasonably airtight inner leaf, how much value is there in providing airtight membrane along the non-joist elevations of the first floor void? 
 

Edited January 23, 20224 yr by WWilts

Small hole or big hole is a hole - I'd cut square pieces of airtight tape, pull the membrane and seal it.

Do you actually have to pull the membrane, or is it where you want it? On the Tescon video (as far as I remember) they do staple, the assumption is well attached is airtight.

Tears, cuts - again tape.

36 minutes ago, Olf said:

Do you actually have to pull the membrane, or is it where you want it?

Need to get the membrane off the inner leaf blocks so that it can be sealed to the inside of the plasterboard, behind the skirting board. So, getting the staples out is necessary.

 

Unless there is a clever workaround, perhaps sealing this membrane to another membrane which then is sealed to the inner face of the plasterboard.

14 minutes ago, WWilts said:

Need to get the membrane off the inner leaf blocks so that it can be sealed to the inside of the plasterboard, behind the skirting board. So, getting the staples out is necessary.

 

Unless there is a clever workaround, perhaps sealing this membrane to another membrane which then is sealed to the inner face of the plasterboard.

The membrane is your air tight layer, why are you wanting to seal it to the inner face of the plasterboard?  Normally the plasterboard is just something that happens to be inside the sealed envelope of the house.

Just overlap it with a good run off membrane?‍♂️

1 hour ago, ProDave said:

The membrane is your air tight layer, why are you wanting to seal it to the inner face of the plasterboard?

For various reasons, plasterboard inner face is the designed airtight layer.
That's why membrane around joists (& around blocks at joist level) is to be taken in to seal to the inner face of plasterboard (behind skirting board).

 

Masonry jointing not bad inside and outside, Celcon blocks in independent tests reasonably airtight. But 1:5 cement:sand joints are the first line of defence only.
Plasterboard is the second line of defence.

Still left with the challenge of repairing the airtight membrane (staples, tears). Any and all suggestions gratefully received.

9 hours ago, WWilts said:

For various reasons, plasterboard inner face is the designed airtight layer.
That's why membrane around joists (& around blocks at joist level) is to be taken in to seal to the inner face of plasterboard (behind skirting board).

And just how do you propose to tape the membrane to the inside face of plasterboard?  And if you manage that every switch and socket is a hole in your air tightness.  The results will be poor.

 

Do it properly, membrane the entire wall, battens to form a service void then plasterboard all nicely inside the air tight envelope.  That keeps all your wiring sealed inside the air tight envelope.