Before you add insulation to your attic, seal the air leaks!

[@KSMO1031]

I'm going to be sealing and insulating my 1,900 SF home next month. I would normally hire someone to do this but the quotes I received to seal and insulate my attic were $6,800 and $7,200. I can't afford that even on a good day. There isn't any way I would recoup that cost unless I planned to stay in my home for another 20-30 years. My total DIY cost not including my time will be around $1,200.

[@blood_sausage9620]

Did you end up doing it?

[@thesoulofmemories]

Easy to say but the cost for the labor in the USA is plain outrageous so I would definitely recommend every home owner to research it first and decide for themselves if they can do it or hire and PAY.a contractor.

[@ericscott3997]

Great advice. Shortly after we purchased our home (and had Structure Tech perform the home inspection) I had all the old insulation removed, had them air seal with closed cell spray everything in the attic. New baffles were installed and had additional cellulose blown in. The house has been comfy since.

[@thesoulofmemories]

Now, you like it or not. Why do you think ANY contractor will recommend replacing as much as possible in your home??? Ever thought of that and did you use your brain to it fullest extend ? Don't be stupid people and don't always agree with a contractor. Contractors in the USA are compared to lawyers, they will suck all the cash out of you and only because they know they can. Change your views how things are done and you will realize that we are paying way too much for all contractor related work. I am talking from my own experience here. Now it's your turn to think!

[@brettbarager9101]

I have a 125 year old house. LOTS of places for air leaks. Took me a while to carefully find each one of them but now everything is air sealed and this week the new blow in is getting installed

[@jeromekeen3921]

Thanks for the administrative rule tip on the requirement to seal before adding insulation.

[@patrickturner270]

Everyone needs to look in the federal tax credit for air sealing and insulating your home. Get 30% of the materials cost, up to $1,200.

[@andyrowell94]

We found one huge (6" x 6") gap next to the big black pipe (plumbing vent) in the attic in our 1938 Minneapolis house and sealed it with three cans of Great Stuff spray foam and some scrap pieces of dry wall. Probably should have cut a piece of foam insulation to stick there and then spray foam. Couldn't find any other attic bypasses (air leaks). Also cut and taped and glued foam board and weatherstripping and handles to the attic hatch.

[@kevinlowe7552]

Great info,,,,except when you say the insulation contractor knows what he is doing. Very few do. Who do you think did all those holes in the pictures? I would be happy to hire a contractor, but they are all scammers now.

[@soviet9366]

In the UK mortgage lenders do not like spray foam insulation saying it increase risk of dampness in the attic

[@mikewilliams4089]

Spray foam insulation is different than air sealing with foam.

[@ptmccafferty]

Make sure you air seal all the interior and exterior top plates from the attic as well.

[@bethanyanderson1745]

Would you please post the ROI chart that you displayed during this video? Thanks!

[@fox156]

Ha! U think a contractor is going to give 2 s’s about sealing something that the customer will never see? Your living in a different decade/planet .

[@theferallife8812]

You should be aware of the drywall manufacturers' weight limits. Too much isulation can caue sagging ceilings.

[@lancerudy9934]

Nice video!

[@misterdrummings]

Thanks for the informative video. What would you say is a ballpark estimate or range for sealing attic bypasses in a very simple 1700 square foot home?

[@running_rich]

Thanks for your videos. I have ranch style premanufactured home built in 1967. Currently insulated with fiberglass batts between ceiling joists. In the attic I notice a lot of air bypasses. I am concerned if I hire a professional to add insulation to the attic floor they will not thoroughly seal all the air bypasses and just cover with insulation. My preference would not be blown in insulation because after I would not have good access to all parts of the attic without disturbing the insulation each time. My AC air handler is located on the attic floor. Would it be overkill to spray foam the attic gable walls and roof rafters instead of just blowing insulation on the floor? Assuming the spray foam idea is performed, how much more efficient would this be compared to the blown in insulation? How would the 2 types of insulation job costs compare? Could the added cost of the spray foam method pay for itself in 10 years?

[@jimmythetech]

Great advice ☝🏻

[@dus10dnd]

Nah, DIY it. Take your precautions. It is too expensive anymore to do anything. Make sure you seal your ducts and make sure you have insulation around the ducts.

[@lohengrinknight]

I'd say go ahead and do it if you're handy and daring. I don't trust contractors where I live. I've seen horrible things in homes where people paid top dollar to get insulation, piping, and flooring redone. I'd rather do the work myself than pay a lot of rednecks to do bad work.

[@heyzeuss]

If the insulation is taken out and is cleaned im not gonna shell out another 2k for someone to go around with a spray foam can. I can do that myself.

[@sp1200M3D]

It’s the same for houses in warm climate zones too?

[@bethanyanderson1745]

I would if I lived in the South. Don’t know why so many omit energy advice for hot climates. Shrug.

[@sp1200M3D]

@@bethanyanderson1745 yeah it’s, vice versa, cold leaking up to hot leaking up into an attic will create temperature differentials, hence condensation, then mold. I agree.

[@Lughnerson]

Air sealing lessens other transfers in homes besides heated and cooled air. It reduces moisture condensation, which could become mold. It helps to prevent entrances of insects, animals, dust, mold spores, bacteria and viruses from entering your home. It dampens high frequency sound a bit, though not bass. It is just a good idea all around, for all around your home. Seal tight, ventilate right.

[@sp1200M3D]

@@Lughnerson It sucks we generally have to ask for air sealing or the insulation installers won’t do it.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

When you air seal attic don't you have 2 vent the living space somehow from gasses and stale air and such?

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

Open your windows

[@Brandon-no3vc]

@@pearlperlitavenegas2023 your not going to open window all the time plus not in winter either not sure where your living under a rock

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

@@Brandon-no3vc in Silicon Valley California 🤣😅😂 we get to open our windows year round

[@Brandon-no3vc]

@@pearlperlitavenegas2023 so you don't know?

[@whhhatup69]

Depending on how new your house is, it’s probably not all that well sealed to begin with. Older homes tend to be very leaky. Air sealing your attic is not going to stop all air movement through your home. I wouldn’t even worry about it. It would take an extremely tight house to begin effecting your indoor air quality. You can get a blower door test done to see how much air leakage your home has.