Hey everyone, I need some advice about a weird discovery I made while working on my house. I know the previous owner added a bedroom above the kitchen, but when I was trying to install a range hood and run some ductwork, I found something unusual. There's this 'half-roof' setup with aluminum on top and soffit beneath, and when I checked, I noticed just loose pink insulation stuffed between the joists—no solid blocking or wood sheathing at all. One of the wood pieces seems to be rotting too. Is this how it's usually done for airflow or ventilation between joists? Or should there be proper blocking to keep moisture and critters out? What do you guys think I should do—fix this myself or hire a pro? Thanks! Also, should I ask the previous owner about it since he's a builder?
2 Answers
It sounds like you opened a bit of a can of worms! Normally, if there’s a finished space above, you should definitely have some solid blocking—especially around the rim joists. That loose insulation won't do much to help with airflow between conditioned spaces. It's definitely worth reaching out to the previous owner to see what their reasoning was. If you're comfortable with DIY, you could potentially tackle it, but hiring a pro would ensure it's done right.
It does sound like poor workmanship if they just omitted the rim joists, especially with insulation in that area. You definitely don't want critters or moisture getting in, so it’s probably essential to add those for both insulation and structural reasons. I'd lean toward hiring a pro to get it done properly; it’s a bit tricky if you’ve never done it before. But asking the previous owner about his choices could give you some insight too.
Good call! A builder might have a different perspective on what’s needed. Just make sure to have someone check that over before it’s too late!
Yeah, I had almost the same experience. I reached out to the builder and he was surprisingly helpful, so don't hesitate!