How To Properly Air Seal An Attic

Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing ducting or electrical wiring comes through walls floors ceilings and soffits over cabinets.

How to properly air seal an attic. Long pants long. Silicone or acrylic latex caulk and a caulk gun practice using the caulk gun first used for air leaks that are smaller than. Reflective foil insulation or rigid foam insulation to cover soffits open walls and larger holes. Mask if you have loose blown in insulation i highly recommend the 3m changeable filter mask.

Air seal your attic for energy savings. Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on walls. So in a few hours or a day in your attic sealing up these air leaks you can save a significant amount on your energy bill. Begin by filling the garbage bags with 16 inch strips of insulation and use these to stuff any open joist spaces and soffits.

When you re done sealing your attic bypasses push the insulation back into place with an old broom handle or stick as you back out of the attic. Combined with attic insulation air sealing can help to alleviate the formation of dangerous ice dams in the winter. Find electrical wires and boxes. Special heat resistant caulk for sealing around your furnace flue and chimney.

Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11. And we ll show you how to seal up the ductwork and ventilation fans. The attic is usually where you can find some of the largest opportunities to save energy in your home. By air sealing in your attic you can stop many major air leaks and help to maintain the desired temperature throughout your home.

Inspect dirty spots in your insulation for air leaks and mold. To properly seal your attic hatch also known as an attic door or scuttle hole at a minimum you should apply weather stripping and ensure the attic side of the attic door is insulated. We ll show you how to maintain proper air flow in an attic when you re going to add extra insulation over the attic floor. The standard solution and the one i recommend is to install a layer of 1 2 inch drywall with taped seams first followed by the tongue and groove boards.

Soffits drop ceilings and open joist spaces. Better yet there are high quality products such as the attic gator designed to both seal and insulate attic access doors and scuttle holes.