Air Sealing & Attic Insulation in Colonial Heights, VA
Challenge
This homeowner had concerns about the insulation in their attic. It was impacting their comfort in the home as well as the efficiency of the home. At our inspection, we found that there was no air sealing and little insulation to prevent the loss of conditioned air and some mold/mildew growth was beginning to occur. The homeowner wanted to treat the microbial growth and remedy their discomfort and reduce high energy bills.
Solution
The first step in helping to make this home more comfortable and energy-efficient was to remove all of the existing fiberglass insulation and planking on the floors. One area of the attic had some microbial growth on the, which was treated with Shockwave Antimicrobial. We then installed new decking in the knee wall spaces and a catwalk in front of the HVAC unit. Dams were built around the walkways to ensure that the new insulation wouldn’t spill onto the decking. We then air-sealed all top plates, wire penetrations, plumbing holes, light fixture, and bath fan housings and HVAC register boots to reduce air leakage from the conditioned space into the attic. New fiberglass insulation was installed in the knee walls to help keep the adjoining room comfortable. Finally, proper vents (PVs) were installed to maintain proper ventilation in the attic and a fresh blanket of R-49 cellulose insulation was blown in. This home will be more comfortable for the homeowners and reduce energy bills.
