Green Attics - Questions

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It is normally recommended to remove existing roof shingles when setting up new ones. Certain areas in the attic room can pose major fire and health risks. Before air sealing and protecting an attic, ensure you or your service provider address the following health and wellness and security concerns. Inspect the smokeshaft and bordering framing for indicators of charring, soot deposits, falling apart stonework or mortar, or evidence that the smokeshaft lining is deteriorating.


Have a smokeshaft specialist repair, seal and protect it at the very same time. Commonly a gap exists where a masonry chimney travels through the attic room. To air seal this location, first install sheet metal blinking to bridge this space and after that seal all the joints with a non-combustible sealant (make sure the item is rated for this application).


An air and vapour barrier covers the floor of the attic area and is sealed to the joists with acoustical sealant. Factory-built steel chimneys should be maintained from getting in touch with insulation by a minimal 75 mm (3 in.) unless otherwise specified by maker or neighborhood authorities. Mount a non-flammable radiation guard that preserves a 75-mm (3-in.) air room between the chimney and insulation.

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The top of the radiation guard should also be a minimum of 75 mm (3 in.) greater than the level of existing or brand-new insulation to be included. To stop insulation from falling back the guard, attach a clamp-type storm collar without sealer on top of the radiation shield, as revealed in Number 5-4.


A radiation obstacle creates a 75 millimetre or 3-inch air room around the smokeshaft and prolongs 75 millimetres or 3 inches over the attic room insulation, preserving the range from flammable materials. The top of the barrier is a storm collar secured, not sealed, to the chimney. Above the ceiling, the air and vapour barrier is twisted around the drywall to speak to the firestop sealant.


A collar-like ceiling trim plate is connected below the firestop. Work securely around electric wiring (shut off the power). Speak with an electrical professional if doubtful wiring or rusty electrical connections exist. Typical interior recessed lights are hard to air seal effectively and can come to be a fire threat if covered with insulation.

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As an option to standard recessed or pot lights take into consideration light-emitting diode (LED) flush or flat place fixtures for much better power performance. This also offers the chance to far better seal and insulate the existing tooth cavity. Make certain that fixture setup guidelines are complied with. If you locate a considerable quantity of animal droppings and vermin in the attic, do not interrupt them because they can harbour quickly airborne moulds, bloodsucker eggs and bacteria that can create severe disease.


Seal the complying with areas: Around the pipes pile and any kind of various other pipelines. For plastic pipes stacks that go up and down because of thermal growth, make use of an adaptable gasket or a polyethylene sleeve sealed to a plywood collar (see Number 5-6). Around cables or ceiling lights that pass through the attic flooring and dividers and outside wall surface leading plates (see Number 5-7 and Figure 5-8).




Around the smokeshaft. Building regulations require that air spaces in between chimneys and flooring or ceiling settings up whereby they pass be secured with a non-combustible fire stop (see Figure 5-3 and Number 5-4). Along the side of common walls. There is typically a void between the celebration wall surface (such as the shared wall in between devices in duplexes, triplexes and row homes) and the edge of the attic flooring.

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A hefty polyethylene sheet which is caulked with acoustical sealant and stapled to the ceiling frames the electrical box. An electrical wire leads away from the electrical box and down with a hole into an interior wall. Holes around electrical cables are filled with caulking or foam sealant, and caulking seals voids along the top of the indoor walls.


After air sealing, attic ventilation is your 2nd line of support against the water vapour that may have located its method into the attic room. It makes sure a cooler, well-vented attic room space much less prone to the development of ice dams at the eaves.




You may need to locate roof covering or soffit vents from outside if they are not clearly visible from inside the attic room. Residences with actually peaked roof coverings and available attic rooms are the simplest to vent by utilizing the ratio of 1 to 300. This ratio describes unblocked vent location to the protected ceiling area.


Additionally, do not utilize electric exhaust followers for attic room ventilation as these can draw a lot more air than can be supplied through the soffit vents. This will actually pull house air right into the attic, leading to higher heat loss and moisture accumulation. They are also prone click for more to failing, sound production and enhanced energy use.

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The complying with Components detail the ideal technique depending on your attic type. After you have actually examined the attic and carried out any restorative work, emphasis initially on air and moisture control.


On the other hand, spray foam uses air sealing and a preliminary layer of top quality insulation that can be covered as much as the preferred RSI (R) degree (HVAC repair). If the attic room retrofit is being completed along with interior restorations, the most convenient approach is to mount a brand-new, solitary air and vapour obstacle on the bottom of the ceiling joists


Around the chimney. Building ordinance need that air areas in between chimneys and flooring or ceiling assemblies where they pass be secured with a non-combustible fire quit (see Figure 5-3 and Figure 5-4). Along the edge of common walls. There is frequently a gap between the party wall surface (such as the shared wall surface between systems in duplexes, triplexes and row residences) and the side of the attic floor.


A hefty polyethylene sheet which is caulked with acoustical sealer and stapled to the ceiling encloses the electric box. An electrical cord leads away from the electrical box and down with an opening right into an indoor wall surface. Openings around electric wires are loaded with caulking or foam sealer, and caulking seals gaps along the top of the indoor walls.

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Attic air flow serves a variety of objectives. It reduces summertime warm accumulation, extending the life of roofing and reduces ac unit loads. After air sealing, attic air flow is your second line of defence against the water vapour that might have found its method into the attic room. It guarantees a chillier, well-vented attic room space less prone to the development of ice dams at the eaves.


You might need to find roofing or soffit vents from outside if they are not clearly noticeable from inside the attic room. Houses with peaked roof coverings and obtainable attics are the easiest to vent by utilizing the ratio of 1 to 300. This proportion describes unblocked vent area to the shielded ceiling location.


Likewise, do not make use of electric exhaust fans for attic room air flow as these can attract extra air than can be supplied with the soffit vents. This will really pull residence air right into the attic, leading to greater heat loss and moisture build-up. They are also vulnerable to failure, noise production and increased energy use.


The place of vents is as crucial as their number and kind. Typically, a blend of kinds and locations will function best. The adhering to Components information the very best method depending upon your attic kind. After you have examined the attic and carried out any type of restorative work, focus initially on air and dampness control.

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On the other hand, spray foam provides air sealing and a first layer of premium quality insulation that can be covered approximately the preferred RSI (R) degree. If the attic retrofit is being completed along with indoor restorations, the most convenient strategy is to set up a new, single air and vapour obstacle on the bottom of the ceiling joists.