Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on whether I can tackle attic insulation on my own. I plan to air seal, fix some cardboard baffles, and add more insulation, but I'm not quite sure what I'm getting into. Here are a few specific questions:
1. Is this something that a beginner can learn to do? I get that it's labor-intensive and I might feel a bit cramped up there.
2. What's with that black tube running all over? Should I open it?
3. Should I peel back the brownish insulation? Should I replace it, and what should I look for?
4. Do I need to sift through the insulation to find places where air might be escaping?
5. I've read about furnace flues getting hot. How do I deal with that?
6. Why does my attic look messier than others?
Thanks a lot! You can find some pictures [here](https://imgur.com/a/7Gm5Y2B).
2 Answers
Honestly, it looks like you might not need insulation if everything's working properly! Your attic seems set up with engineered trusses, which could mean it was built to keep air flowing well. Those black tubes are likely insulated AC ducts, and they seem to be in good shape. The cardboard you saw is probably a baffle for ventilation—it’s meant to stay there. If you're thinking about air sealing, you might need to brush aside some insulation to get to the gaps. Just make sure not to step on the drywall up there—it can’t hold your weight!
It's good to double-check that airflow. I read homes in PA should aim for about R49 insulation, so you might want to address that. If your kids' rooms feel too hot or cold, it could definitely be an insulation issue. Also, make sure your setup in the attic is as good as it can be for airflow!
Hey! So here’s what I think. If you’re considering doing this yourself, getting a thermal camera first could be super helpful. You can check for hot and cold spots in your home to figure out where insulation is lacking. If you already have insulation up there, you might want to see what's really needed and what you can add. And definitely get a good respirator to protect against dust when you're working. For insulation types, you’ll want to know that there are batts which roll out and blown-in insulation that looks like fluffy stuff. Just make sure there’s no asbestos in old insulation if your house is older than the 60s!
Great advice about the thermal camera! I just learned that baffles help keep insulation from blocking your eave vents. Air sealing means using foam or caulk to fill gaps, which is totally worth it. But I’m unsure about the furnace flue—anyone know what to do about that?
If you notice some insulation is missing, don’t panic! Just keep your attic well ventilated and check that everything around your flue is protected. Those flues can get pretty hot, so making sure they’re clear is key!
Using your thermostat wisely can help too! If you’re already keeping it at 78, you might have more issues to track down in the attic. Taking things slow on the weekends sounds like a great plan—we all start somewhere, right?