Has your electric bill gone haywire? Poor insulation is the likely culprit. It could push your HVAC system to work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. It’s because heat expands towards cooler areas. So the heat will either try to escape outdoors or find ways to get inside your home.
You can reduce the flow of heat can lessen with proper insulation. The barrier it produces prevents the movement of energy through the attic or walls. One of the best ways to do this is to add blown-in insulation.
Blown-in insulation is the process of filling in joist cavities or studs. It’s also used to cover attic floors. It also goes by the name loose-fill insulation. This type of attic insulation uses a variety of materials. Fiberglass fibers or Styrofoam pellets are two examples. But cellulose material is the usual option for this process. Wood and recycled paper products often form the base of cellulose insulation. It’s why this material is always clumpy and dense. It’s also the best attic insulation because it fits enclosed areas well. It also conforms to the shape of the pipes and ducts.
Blown-in insulation is the fastest way to add another layer of insulation to an existing one. Here’s how to blow insulation in an attic by yourself.
Seal the Space
The first thing you need to do is to seal the attic space. Make sure there are no gaps around the electrical wire holes or plumbing pipes. Check that the ceiling perforations are snug and tight. You can use caulk or expanding spray foam to close any gaps.
Mark the Insulation Level
Things can get dusty fast when you blow insulation in the attic. This could make it challenging to see how high the insulation level is. What you should do is mark the ideal level. Use a sharpie and a tape measure. Make marks in different areas, like the walls or trusses. The more guides you have, the better.
Prepare the Insulation and Blower
Prepare your insulation and the blower once you’re done marking the attic. The blower machine is also designed with rotating teeth. It chops and fluffs up the cellulose. But you should also crumble the cellulose before placing it into the hopper. This will ensure the hose doesn’t become clogged.
Place the blower machine outside your home. Put a tarp under it to make clean-up easier. The blower should be close to an attic vent or window. Do this if you want to shorten the distance you’ll have to run blower hoses. What if the hose needs to run through the house? It’s OK to do so. But place some old towels or a tarp under the hoses. This will protect your carpets or floors.
Start Blowing
Blow-in attic insulation is a two-person job. One controls the hose and sprays the insulation into the designated space. The other turns the blower on and off. They will also feed cellulose into the blower.
You must place yourself in the center when you work in the attic. This is to ensure the space has an even spread of insulation. Start at a point that’s farthest from the attic’s entrance. You won’t block yourself in when you do this. Make a slow and steady sweeping motion with the hose. Make sure you cover one area at a time. Do a methodical sweep of the area.
It’s different when you’re putting insulation in the walls. You first need to make a hole in the wall. You should then thread the blower’s hose into the hole. Point the nozzle down into the wall. Make sure to wrap a rag around the hole to form a seal. You can tell if the section of the wall is full when you start feeling some resistance. The blower machine won’t be able to blow any more insulation too.
Protection is crucial when doing this project. Make sure you’re wearing eye protection. You should also wear a respirator or a dust mask when blowing in insulation for attic. You should also wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt.
Affordable Insulation Anytime
When it comes to insulation, nothing beats A Affordable Insulators. We’re one of the best insulation companies in Houston. We’re a family-owned and operated business with a passion for helping homeowners. We specialize in residential and commercial fiberglass insulation. We also do loose-fill attic insulation. You can also call us when you want to improve your attic ventilation. Give us a ring at 832-243-7484. You can also reach us here.
