Attic Air Sealing 2022.

In this video, I will highlight some of the improvements I made to the attic in my 1993 home.

[@mryan4452]

Enjoyed your vid greetings from Ireland. If the house isn't particularly leaky, presumably the leaks in the attic provide some ventilation? I'm concerned if I fill them in the house will loose ventilation and become stuffy / odours won't get removed etc. Or is attic ventilation an "inefficient" form of ventilation? 🤷

[@powerpointpreacher]

Hey, greetings from Iowa, USA. Thanks for watching. Yes, there should be planned ventilation in the attic, called soffit vents that draw air in and a ridge vent to let the air out. But, the conditioned space below, where people live, should have an air barrier that keeps the expensive conditioned air from leaking into the attic and out to the atmosphere. Yes, if sealed too tightly, this can lead to stuffy air, which we dilute with a fresh air intake and exhaust, e.g.an ERV or HRV system. My home is still plenty leaky to allow for fresh air infiltration, but less so than before. I hope that makes sense and thanks for asking.

[@Inkling777]

For sealing around vents, the wide aluminum tape used with duct work is easier and simpler to use than calking. I used it around every vent in my house. Nothing gets past it.

[@powerpointpreacher]

Thanks.

[@BurkeStanion]

You have put a lot of work into correcting these issues. Our home was built in 1960. We have lived here for 24 years and always had a drafty home as well. We have similar issues. I can believe that a home built in 1993 would be so shoddily built. Unfortunately, nothing was different in 1960. Builders are in the business of building a home with a shiny key to the beautiful front door and then it's yours. So many corners are cut. I'm correcting these attic drafts this year (2022) as well. I have cleaned out all of the old insulation. Mine was blown in cellulose over 3" fiberglass batt. All gone. Clean slate.

[@powerpointpreacher]

Fantastic Burke. It turned from a dreaded project to kind of an obsession. I have a video that I should be able to get edited and released soon that shows more progress. I have more to do, as you will see. Thanks for your comment.

[@naro1213]

How'd it go? Did you seal the air leaks?

[@muziv82]

Very nice work and thank you for the video. FYI, almost all caulk available will crack with temperature changes and will eventually allow air leaks.

[@powerpointpreacher]

Thanks, that is good to know. I have never had good luck with expanding foam. It's kind of messy and I never seem to get a full can used before the application tube gets plugged.

[@muziv82]

@@powerpointpreacher I know it’s messy. I actually learned about a trick that blew my my mind. If you turn the nozzle all the way back, there’s a little plug that would keep the straw clean after you plug it and it would be reusable

[@999fugazi]

Great video highlighting the issues around your house. Would be great to see any updates you have, although doing the work is one thing, filming it for YT is another. Good luck

[@Youtubehandle.]

Great job Caulk allows for movement Foam doesn't flex I know when l have sealed a hole with caulk Foam not sure It is an insulator I use deck material for attic floor 1 x 6 x 3/4 it allows for easy cuts around framing You were helpful

[@powerpointpreacher]

Thanks Art. That was one of my main goals, to be helpful.

[@HerbaceousM8]

well i bought my house at 31 and am planning to leak seal it at 32, i didnt want to do it at 60. hopefully it goes smooth, i've been wondering if i need an additional way to get fresh air in.

[@powerpointpreacher]

It depends on the air changes per hour. A blower door test can reveal that, when the operator puts in the square footage into the computer program. Believe it or not, when I did the blower door test, based on the volume of air and square footage of the house, the program said I needed an additional 50 cfm of outside air. I'm still laughing over that one. However, it can be a concern if the house becomes too tight. I can assure you that at this point, there are definitely signs that I have changed the pressure plane of the structure. For example, on windy days now, instead of leaking everywhere out the attic, I will hear my bathroom exhaust vent flappers bounce a few times. I calling it burping the house. Basically they are providing pressure relief to the building now that I've sealed gaping holes in the attic. I still plan on eating beans and being unapologetically flatulent.

[@brendanreid593]

Very nicely done! Thanks especially for investigating how they put together the return air system (badly) and the open duct chase!

[@powerpointpreacher]

You bet Brendan and I'm working on getting a file of pictures and power point to you.

[@kristinmedley2573]

Can’t wait to see the new numbers. I plan on doing the same thing once I get some other projects done.

[@powerpointpreacher]

I'm a bit slow on the blower door test. Thanks for the comment. Good luck and I will be updating to show progress soon.

[@tnnutcase7259]

Why didn't you use expanding foam? Caulk would probably be 3 or 4 more times the required material versus expanding foam. Excellent work and you will see great savings

[@powerpointpreacher]

I always seem to get spray foam where I didn't intend. Yes, I used a bunch of caulk, but it was easier for me to work with. Thanks for that and yes, my energy bills have gone way down, and the house is much more comfortable.

[@Inkling777]

A suggestion. Attic foil is easier to install and less expensive to install than plywood flooring. It also reflects radiant heat away. You can get it with or without small ventilation holes, depending on the humidity in your locale. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p56Qf2WAetiEg8U

[@powerpointpreacher]

Thanks for that. I did try some but found traces of humidity and decided to let it be. I didn't want any mold.

[@10speed4]

My attic gable ventilation vent had dry rotted and it was time for replacement. Due to I couldn’t find one to fit I built my own out of PVC lumber. After I built it then installed it I thought nows the time to add an exhaust fan so I bought the 2830 CFM Smart App Controlled 3-Speed Gable Mount Attic Fan, that arrives Monday so I went ahead and ran the wiring for power. I then learned if my attic isn’t sealed tight the fan will pull the house heating and air from within. So now I’m about to do as you and start sealing up all the cracks, crevices, and holes. I bought the house new in 1999 and I’m now 64 years old, and just like you, I said to myself “why did I wait till I’m 64”, lol. And Jesus is king 👍.

[@powerpointpreacher]

Thanks for watching the video 10 speed. For sure, the attic exhaust will do exactly that, remove all of your expensive conditioned air. Yes, Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!