Before you insulate your attic

Before I Call Cold Busters, What Should I do?

Here are some common steps that you should take before getting your attic blown in. In most cases homes are fine the way they are, but in some instances where work has been done or on older homes some of these items may have to be done.

Here Are A Few Steps

Seal all attic-to-home air leaks. Most insulation does not stop airflow. This is important if you have done some work recently on your own.

Duct exhaust fans to the outside. Use a tightly constructed box to cover fan housing on attic side. Seal around the duct where it exits the box. Seal the perimeter of the box to the drywall on attic side.

Seal around chimney and framing with a high-temperature caulk or furnace cement.

If you have installed recessed lighting in your house you should install flame retardant blocks around these lights. These can be purchased relatively inexpensively at most home hardware stores. If you have exhaust fans in the ceiling these should be covered as well. This minimizes any chance of fire hazards.

One More Important Thing

Make sure insulation doesn’t block soffit vents to allow for attic ventilation. Most homes are installed with insulation stops that prevent insulation from falling into the soffiting.

Proper Ventilation

Most attics have air vents both in the roof and in between the trusses located on the sides of the attic. On some older homes the vents in between the trusses are not extended and need to be retrofitted so that more insulation can be blown in. We at Cold Busters upon request can retrofit existing vents at $25 / vent. A good way to check your attic for proper ventilation is water stains or marks. They indicate roof leaks or lack of ventilation. Make repairs before you insulate. Wet insulation is ineffective and can damage your home.

Get a Quote

Could your home benefit from blown in insulation? The experienced team at Sask Cold Busters can help you.