Compressed Attic Insulation Fix

Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old.

Compressed attic insulation fix.

We can compress insulation and increase the performance of it right up to the point where the main mode of energy transfer is through the material of the insulation itself. These will likely be located along the outer perimeter of your attic floor. Locate your attic vents and make sure they are not blocked by insulation. For wool types of insulation fiberglass mineral wool steel real wool etc while it varies based on material this is typically much denser than we are able to get it via compression on the job site.

When compressed to less than its labeled thickness glass fi ber insulation will experience a reduction in r value. Missing insulation at repaired areas in attic it seems pretty obvious that insulation should be put back in place after being pulled back for a repair in the attic but that doesn t always happen. Attic insulation replacement is a simple and quick process. Compacted insulation insulation that has been compressed by being walked over or storing boxes on it loses part of its insulation ability.

For every x the insulation material is compressed the r value decreases by approximately one half of that percentage or x compressed. It could take as little as a day to tear out old insulation to secure the attic and protect it from the elements. Subtract the cavity depth from the thickness of the batt in inches. Let s look at an r 19 batt in a 2x6 cavity step 1.

Because installing closed cell foam will seal the attic an alternate method of ventilation is necessary. R value simply means resistance to heat flow. But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates. This often means installing rafter baffles in every rafter space to permit fresh airflow.

Simple thermal analysis reveals that if you have 5 missing insulation in an attic bare sheetrock you ll have a slightly more than a 54 drop in r value. The right pro can locate potential safety hazards and pinpoint specific solutions for your home. How do i fix my insulation problems. Make sure none of these vents are blocked with debris or insulation so that air can easily flow through them.

The chart below indicates the compressed r value of standard building insulation products when installed in framing cavities with a depth that is less than the labeled thickness of the insulation. Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor. These thermal defects undermine the r value of your attic insulation.