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It is commonly suggested to get rid of existing roof shingles when installing brand-new ones. Particular areas in the attic can posture severe fire and health dangers. Prior to air sealing and insulating an attic room, guarantee you or your contractor address the following health and wellness problems. Inspect the smokeshaft and surrounding framing for signs of charring, residue deposits, collapsing masonry or mortar, or evidence that the chimney cellular lining is weakening.


Have a chimney specialist repair work, seal and shield it at the same time. Typically a space exists where a masonry chimney passes with the attic room. To air seal this location, initially set up sheet metal flashing to connect this space and then seal all the joints with a non-combustible sealant (ensure the product is rated for this application).


An air and vapour barrier covers the floor of the attic room room and is secured to the joists with acoustical sealer. Factory-built steel smokeshafts must be avoided contacting insulation by a minimum 75 mm (3 in.) unless or else defined by supplier or neighborhood authorities. Mount a non-flammable radiation guard that preserves a 75-mm (3-in.) air space between the chimney and insulation.

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The top of the radiation shield ought to also be a minimum of 75 mm (3 in.) greater than the degree of existing or new insulation to be included. To stop insulation from falling back the guard, attach a clamp-type tornado collar without sealer on top of the radiation guard, as received Figure 5-4.


A radiation obstacle creates a 75 millimetre or 3-inch air room around the smokeshaft and extends 75 millimetres or 3 inches over the attic insulation, maintaining the range from combustible products. The top of the barrier is a tornado collar clamped, not secured, to the smokeshaft. Above the ceiling, the air and vapour obstacle is wrapped around the drywall to speak to the firestop sealant.


A collar-like ceiling trim plate is attached below the firestop. Standard indoor recessed lights are hard to air seal efficiently and can come to be a fire hazard if covered with insulation.

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As an alternative to typical recessed or pot lights consider light-emitting diode (LED) flush or level place components for better power effectiveness. This also offers the possibility to far better seal and protect the existing cavity. Make sure that fixture installment directions are adhered to. If you discover a significant amount of pet droppings and vermin in the attic, do not interrupt them since they can harbour conveniently airborne moulds, parasite eggs and germs that can cause serious illness.


Seal the following locations: Around the plumbing stack and any type of various other pipes. For plastic plumbing stacks that relocate up and down as a result of thermal growth, make use of a flexible gasket or a polyethylene sleeve sealed to a plywood collar (see Number 5-6). Around wires or ceiling light fixtures that pass through the attic flooring and partition and exterior wall leading plates (see Number 5-7 and Number 5-8).




Building codes require that air areas in between smokeshafts and floor or ceiling assemblies with which they pass be sealed with a non-combustible fire stop (see Figure 5-3 and Figure 5-4). There is often a gap between the party wall surface (such as the shared wall between units in duplexes, triplexes and row houses) and the edge of the attic floor.

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A heavy polyethylene sheet which is caulked with acoustical sealer and stapled to the ceiling encases the electrical box. An electrical cord diverts from the electrical box and down via an opening into an indoor wall. Openings around electric cables are full of caulking or foam sealer, and caulking seals spaces along the top of the interior wall surfaces.


After air securing, attic air flow is your 2nd line of protection against the water vapour that may have found its means into the attic. It guarantees a cooler, well-vented attic space much less vulnerable to the formation of ice dams at the eaves.




You may have to find roofing or soffit vents from outdoors if they are not plainly noticeable from inside the attic. Residences with peaked roofings and easily accessible attic rooms are the most convenient to vent by using the ratio of 1 to 300. This ratio describes unblocked vent area to the insulated ceiling location.


Also, do not use electric exhaust fans for attic room air flow as these can attract more air than can be supplied through the soffit vents. This will really pull home air into the attic room, leading to higher heat loss and wetness build-up. They are also vulnerable to failure, sound production and enhanced energy use.

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The place of vents is as important as their number and kind. Commonly, a mix of types and locations will certainly work best. The following Components detail the ideal technique depending upon your attic kind. After you have actually evaluated the attic and accomplished any kind of remedial work, emphasis first on air and dampness control.


On the various other hand, spray foam provides useful source air securing and an initial layer of premium quality insulation that can be covered approximately the wanted RSI (R) degree (Home energy audit). If the attic retrofit is being completed together with indoor remodellings, the most convenient approach is to set up a new, solitary air and vapour obstacle on the bottom of the ceiling joists


Building codes require that air rooms between chimneys and flooring or ceiling assemblies with which they pass be sealed with a non-combustible fire quit (see Figure 5-3 and Figure 5-4). There is frequently a void in between the party wall surface (such as the shared wall surface between units in duplexes, triplexes and row residences) and the edge of the attic room floor.


A hefty polyethylene sheet which is caulked with acoustical sealer and stapled to the ceiling encases the electric box. An electrical cord leads away from the electric box and down through a hole into an indoor wall. Holes around electric wires are full of caulking or foam sealant, and caulking seals voids along the top of the interior walls.

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After air sealing, attic room air flow is your 2nd line of protection versus the water vapour that might have located its means right into the attic room. It ensures a colder, well-vented attic room less prone to the formation of ice dams at the eaves.


You might need to situate roof or soffit vents from outside if they are not plainly noticeable from inside the attic room. Residences with actually peaked roofs and easily accessible attics are the most convenient to air vent by utilizing the ratio of 1 to 300. This ratio describes unhampered vent area to the protected ceiling area.


Do not utilize electric exhaust followers for attic room ventilation as these can draw more air than can be supplied through the soffit vents. This will actually draw home air into the attic room, leading to higher warmth loss and wetness build-up. They are also vulnerable to failing, noise manufacturing and raised power use.


The following Components information the best approach depending on your attic type. After you have inspected the attic room and brought out any kind of therapeutic work, emphasis initially on air and dampness control.

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On the various other hand, spray foam supplies air securing and a first layer of high top quality insulation that can be covered as much as the desired RSI (R) level. If the attic room retrofit is being finished along with interior restorations, the most convenient technique is to set up a new, solitary air and vapour obstacle on the bottom of the ceiling joists.