Insulating your attic is a simple job, but a messy one. It is important to prepare properly.
Material
Cellulose insulation is the only thing you should ever insulate an attic with. Fiberglass is not designed for attic uses even though it is used in approximately 70% of the attic installs in the United States. Cellulose is made of ground up newspaper with boric acid that acts as a pesticide, fungicide, and fire retardant.
Tools
Blower machine from rental store, duck tape, cellulose insulation, caulk, hammer tacker, can foam, a friend and cardboard.
Time to Insulate
Now it is time to insulate your attic. Follow the steps below to get your attic insulated:
Step 1
You have to prep your attic. Air seal all penetrations (wires, plumbing, chimneys, utility boxes, etc.) with can foam sealant or caulk. For detailed instructions on air sealing see “Home Tips: How to Air Seal Your Home”.
Step 2
Now lay down plastic or a drop cloth under the attic access so you don’t make a big mess. Haul the hose and the blower control from your blowing machine, up the stairs and into the attic. Take the hose and drag int to he furthest point of the attic you need to insulate.
Step 3
Have your friend put a bundle of cellulose into the blowing machine’s hopper. CAUTION: KEEP HANDS OUT OF THE BLOWING MACHINE HOPPER OR YOU WILL LOSE THEM. Start up the hopper.
Step 4
Start up the blower and begin to blow insulation. Blow in an even layer across the attic. There should be no reason the shut the machine off during this time so it shouldn’t take very long to do. Your friend will simply load bundles of cellulose into the hopper when it looks low and you will spray an even layer in the attic.
Step 5
When you get to the attic access, turn the blower off and climb down onto the ladder. Put up a cardboard stop about 16″ from the ceiling joist around the access lid to keep the insulation from falling onto it. Use a hammer tacker to staple the cardboard in place.
Step 6
Finish blowing up to the attic access. Then put the access lid back in place. Haul all of the hose back to the truck and coil the hose and the controller back up. Clean up any debris with a vacuum and enjoy your newly insulated attic.
This article assumes that proper vents were already in place or that no soffit ventilation was available. Currently a 30% federal tax credit is available for all energy saving projects. For other home improvement tips, see all my “Home Tips” articles. Some tips can be followed through the person to purchase the air conditioners. The checking of the blaux portable ac reviews should be done to get the desired results. The saving of the energy is done within a budget and effective means. The environment should be creative positive to get great results.
