Tag Archive for: attic

Do You Need Attic Ventilation With Spray Foam Insulation

It is winter and you are feeling a draft coming from your attic. Attics keep our home warm in the winter months and cool in the summer months. However, it is not just the attic that does this job but the insulation. There are different types of insulation and you want to choose what is right for your home. One of those is spray foam. Do you need attic ventilation with spray foam insulation? No, spray foam insulation is applied to the ceiling and creates an air-tight seal.

Let’s take a look at spray foam insulation.

What is Spray Foam

Basic spray foam is created when you combine isocyanate and polyol resin. This makes polyurethane. Spray foam materials have been used as insulation in homes since the 1970’s. Let’s take a look at the differences of the spray foam types.

  • Open Cell Spray Foam-this allows air into the cells, which makes the foam softer and less dense.
  • Closed Cell Spray Foam-this creates an air seal and is the best insulator.

Is It Eco-Friendly

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states that the curing of spray foam means that there is a chemical reaction that produces the polyurethane foam. It is recommended by manufacturers, that those who use spray foam insulation wait 24 hours after the application of the high-pressure material, before exposure. The term “off-gassing” refers to the curing or releasing of chemicals from spray foam. The chemicals from the spray foam are released into the environment as it dries. Anyone that is not wearing personal protective equipment, should not come into contact with the spray foam process. This could cause serious illness and health complications.

Is Ventilation Needed

Believe it or not, attic ventilation for spray foam insulation is not needed. The simple reason is that spray foam is applied to the attic ceiling and not the attic flooring. The idea is that the attic is now insulated from the outside weather and able to keep the temperature inside the attic and living spaces the same. Due to this aspect, the disadvantage of an unventilated attic is canceled out. However, you now need to condition your attic space with heat/AC to match the house.

The varying differences between a spray foam attic space and an attic space with cellulose and fiber layers on the attic floor are quite obvious. When laying cellulose and fiber insulation to the attic floor, there is no real sealing and this creates a layer of cold air from the roof and warm air from the home. However, when you seal your attic with spray foam this keeps the warmth from the sun from penetrating the attic space and allows it to stay cooler longer. Unvented attic spaces are more comfortable to the homeowner, even during the cooler months.

spray foam insulation

Types of Insulation

  1. Spray foam insulation-a very popular and reliable type of insulation. Once it is sprayed in, it does not move unless cut out or disturbed by animals. Life span is not exactly clear and it is likely not very eco-friendly.
  2. Cellulose insulation-very effective at blocking air movement and eco-friendly. Life span is not that long and will start to break down after 15 years. You might see a range of 20 to 30 years with this recycled insulation material.
  3. Fiberglass insulation-this type can last 80 to 100 years if not disturbed or damaged by water. If moisture is present, this insulation can fail in as little as 15 years to 20 years.
  4. Mineral wool insulation-available in all three ways of rolls of insulation, blown-in insulation, or batt insulation and lasts 30 to 80 years depending on the environment that it is exposed to.

How Much Does Spray Foam Insulation Cost

The cost of spray foam insulation is relatively inexpensive. You are looking at an average of $.44 to $1.50 per board foot. This is a one-inch thick or one square foot of insulation covering. If you were to request expanding foam insulation, you are looking at $.50 to $.2.50 per square foot.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Taking a look around your attic when trying to figure out the type of insulation you need is a good idea. One maintenance idea is to look at the plywood to see if there is mold growing. If there is, the good news is you can clean it off with a chemical solution, spraying, and scrubbing. However, after you do this, you will need to find out the culprit.

Electrical wires over insulation.

Another area in the attic you want to look at is your electrical wires. If you have electrical wires, then the insulation you need that can lay over them is fiberglass. This is because fiberglass is non-flammable. You won’t be able to use spray foam insulation for attic ventilation or areas where there are electrical wires. Something to think about when you are adding more insulation to the attic and debating between the type of insulation to use or using electrical wires in the attic.

Lastly, if you notice that your electric bill is higher and it seems you may be losing air in the home, you may need to air seal the attic. This can be done by a contractor or homeowner.

When to Call a Professional

When dealing with attic ventilation or anything in your attic space, you should contact a professionally licensed contractor. Calling on a professional to add to your attic insulation, change the attic insulation, or add a ventilation unit, is a great idea. As the homeowner, you do not want to get involved with the safety concerns of replacing attic insulation. In addition, you might not have the right tools or knowledge to ensure a safe attic space. Call your local home inspection team to inspect your attic and have them recommend the best professionally licensed contractor for your project.

Conclusion

When working on an attic project like insulation and ventilation it is always best to contact your local home inspection team. They can refer you to a professionally licensed contractor that has a high rating of workmanship in your area. In addition, the home inspection team can check for mold in your attic space and other small issues that could arise before installing spray foam. Getting the home inspection can save you money on your home upgrades and ensure that you are getting the best workers for your project. Give Home Inspection Geeks a call. Home Inspection Geeks can take a look at your attic needs when we come out for a home inspection in Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties, IL.

How To Remove Mold From Attic Plywood

Inspecting for mold can be a tricky task. Getting into an attic space can be easy for some and difficult for others. Knowing what to look for when searching for mold in the attic is important. It is always best to call on professionals to assist you with this task. Keeping your family safe and healthy is the most important part. Mold removal is not something that every homeowner can do. Better yet, not every homeowner knows how to remove mold. How to remove mold from attic plywood? There is a process of mixing a chemical solution, spraying, and then scrubbing the unsightly mold.

Let’s take a look below at the process for cleaning mold off of attic plywood.

Mold on wood in the attic

What Is Mold

Mold is a type of fungi that contains spores. These spores find areas of high moisture content and show themselves in various colors of black, brown, white, orange, green, or purple. Most molds are harmless, however, it can be rather unhealthy to breathe them in. So, their removal is vital to your health and safety.

What Is Needed

In order to remove mold from your attic plywood, you need the following tools and items to be successful. Let’s take a look.

  • Box fan-this ventilates the attic space.
  • KN95 mask-this is the best face mask to wear so that you do not inhale mold spores while cleaning.
  • Old Clothes-you are going to throw out whatever clothing you wear while cleaning the mold spores.
  • HEPA filter wet/dry vacuum-you need this in order to safely vacuum up the loose mold spores as you clean the area.
  • RMR Mold/Stain remover-specialized chemical that cuts into the mold and safely removes it from the wood surface.
  • Protective plastic gloves-allow you to handle the scrub brush and keep your skin safe.
  • Scrub brush-needed to loosen the mold spores so that you can vacuum them off the surface of the wood.
  • Spray bottle-used to spray the specialized mold remover onto the mold.

How To Prevent Mold Growth

The easiest way to ensure that mold does not grow in your attic space is by making sure that moisture is not present in the attic. Inspect the following areas to ensure that nothing leaks in or allows moisture in.

  • Roof leaks-inspect your roof to ensure there are no leaks that cause dampness and moisture buildup.
  • Raised shingles-make sure that the shingles are secured keeping water from getting trapped and creating an increase in moisture.
  • Ventilation-proper ventilation in the attic allows air to flow evenly throughout and all moisture causing hot air to escape.
  • Air gaps-check to ensure that the attic is sealed and not allowing energy from the home to flow into it. Also, this can create a hotbed of damp heat and a breeding ground for mold.

Checking these areas and making sure that the attic is sealed as tight as it is supposed to be, can keep you from ever having a mold growth issue.

How Much Does It Cost

The cost to remove mold from the attic plywood will be expensive. The area of the attic and the space of the attic determine how much you will pay. Additionally, the national average cost ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on those factors.

Other Recommended Maintenance

While you are up in the attic and looking into the removal of mold on your drywall, you are likely to need to remove mold from your trusses. Understanding how to accomplish this is key to keeping your home healthy and safe. Learning how to remove mold from your trusses is a topic that you will want to learn about.

Considering that you are up in the attic looking at mold removal, you might want to research how the mold has shown up. Parts of the roof might be damaged or exposed to the elements allowing moisture buildup, which in turn, can promote mold growth. Also, check the roof and all of its working parts for your answers. You might find that installing a roof scupper is something that you need to do. Roof scuppers can help the flow of water off your roof and ensure that pooling doesn’t occur.

Chances are that if you are searching for ways to clean mold out of your attic, you should also look into ways to clean mold out of your basement. Moisture levels in the home can cause mold growth in both the attic and the basement, so while you are working to clean the mold off of your attic plywood, this would be a great time to see if the mold has reached your basement.

Mold on the attic ceiling
Mold on the attic ceiling

When Do I Call A Professional

Calling on a professional is necessary when dealing with any type of mold. You want to ensure that all mold is removed properly and the area where the mold has taken over is cleaned and disinfected. Protecting your family and the investment of your home is the biggest priority here. If you are planning to convert your attic into an additional living space or even a space of storage, it is always best to call on an inspection team to ensure that the space is free of any possible mold.

Conclusion

Inspecting your attic can be a simple project. Most attics are readily built with plenty of crawl space and even the opportunity to convert it into a room. Before upgrading your living space, you should call for a home inspection to make sure that the attic is free of mold. Getting the home inspection saves you time and money as you invest in home upgrades. Give Home Inspection Geeks a call. Home Inspection Geeks can take a look at your moldy attic needs when we come out for a home inspection Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties, IL.