attic insulation question - HomeModders.com

87vert · 01-06-2008, 09:48 PM

Should I remove and replace this insulation or should I add insulation on top of it?

Its a loose fill about 4-6inches deep. There is some live knob and tube but I plan on replacing it before doing the insulation.

this is what the previous owners did.

What type of wiring is this?

ScrapinSTi · 01-06-2008, 10:52 PM

pull it and replace it. Alot of it has flattened out and is not providing insulation factor anymore...

And as far as the wiring... OLD wiring... Thats what they used before Junction boxes... Twist Taps...

Chadwilliam1 · 01-07-2008, 12:28 AM

I would pull it only if it is easy. Replace the wires and if you will not be crawling around in there anymore. I would just rent the machine from HD or lowes and do the blow in insulation on top of everything.

ScrapinSTi · 01-07-2008, 04:01 PM

I prefer the Rolls of Insulation... Just not a huge fan of the blown in, and IIRC the rolls or bats give a better R Value than the blown in.

87vert · 01-07-2008, 04:49 PM

whats the best way to clear all of old stuff out? shop vac? or by hand and garbage bags?

also should I do anything to the walls of the attic?

chestercheeto48 · 01-07-2008, 05:32 PM

I would do Blown in insulation if you are not going to be using the attic.

Attic Insulation - Blown vs. Batt

Here is a pretty good article on the differences between

ScrapinSTi · 01-07-2008, 05:54 PM

Insulating the walls will help too...

I would do it by hand for the majority then clean up with a shop vac... you'll spend more time cleaning out a shop vac than you would using it if you tried getting all of it up with it..

Chadwilliam1 · 01-08-2008, 12:22 AM

Clean it up with a leaf blower...LOL

Good article
chestercheeto48

It says you need a professional to do the blow in insulation. This is far from the truth. It is easy as shit. It does take 2 people. If you buy 20 bags they will usually give you the machine for free. You can do that whole area in a few hours.

James · 01-08-2008, 09:58 PM

That wiring is knob and tube, at least 40 years old. I had (and still have) a ton of knob and tube wiring in my house still.

I'd personally remove the old insulation and put a fresh covering up there if I were you.

briansol · 01-09-2008, 02:41 AM

my attic has the spray in stuff. its pretty much a mess of white 'cotton' everywhere, but it feels 'warmer'. perhaps its just me.

there's no space between the studs to worry arout

01-06-2008, 09:48 PM	#1
87vert Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 22 Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	attic insulation question Should I remove and replace this insulation or should I add insulation on top of it? Its a loose fill about 4-6inches deep. There is some live knob and tube but I plan on replacing it before doing the insulation. this is what the previous owners did. What type of wiring is this? __________________ 1200sq ft 2bed 1 bath (purchased June '07)

01-07-2008, 04:49 PM	#5
87vert Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 22 Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	whats the best way to clear all of old stuff out? shop vac? or by hand and garbage bags? also should I do anything to the walls of the attic? __________________ 1200sq ft 2bed 1 bath (purchased June '07)

01-08-2008, 09:58 PM	#9
James Slacking off in the house Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In IN Posts: 217 Rep Power: 2	That wiring is knob and tube, at least 40 years old. I had (and still have) a ton of knob and tube wiring in my house still. I'd personally remove the old insulation and put a fresh covering up there if I were you. __________________ 1927 2200 sq feet 3 story renovation project. Done Washing Machine - 10.27.07 Windows Install - 02.13.08 (New) Gas Oven - 11.22.08 Needs to be Done Put in the (new) dryer Uh... Alot more.

01-09-2008, 02:41 AM	#10
briansol Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central CT Age: 28 Posts: 432 Rep Power: 10	my attic has the spray in stuff. its pretty much a mess of white 'cotton' everywhere, but it feels 'warmer'. perhaps its just me. there's no space between the studs to worry arout __________________ 1997 2050sqft Split Level

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
siding insulation question.	Chadwilliam1	Outdoor Modifications	6	01-08-2008 12:18 AM

01-06-2008, 10:52 PM	#2
ScrapinSTi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Debt. Posts: 240 Rep Power: 2	pull it and replace it. Alot of it has flattened out and is not providing insulation factor anymore... And as far as the wiring... OLD wiring... Thats what they used before Junction boxes... Twist Taps...

01-07-2008, 12:28 AM	#3
Chadwilliam1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	I would pull it only if it is easy. Replace the wires and if you will not be crawling around in there anymore. I would just rent the machine from HD or lowes and do the blow in insulation on top of everything.

01-07-2008, 04:01 PM	#4
ScrapinSTi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Debt. Posts: 240 Rep Power: 2	I prefer the Rolls of Insulation... Just not a huge fan of the blown in, and IIRC the rolls or bats give a better R Value than the blown in.

01-07-2008, 05:32 PM	#6
chestercheeto48 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 55 Rep Power: 2	I would do Blown in insulation if you are not going to be using the attic. Attic Insulation - Blown vs. Batt Here is a pretty good article on the differences between

01-07-2008, 05:54 PM	#7
ScrapinSTi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Debt. Posts: 240 Rep Power: 2	Insulating the walls will help too... I would do it by hand for the majority then clean up with a shop vac... you'll spend more time cleaning out a shop vac than you would using it if you tried getting all of it up with it..

01-08-2008, 12:22 AM	#8
Chadwilliam1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	Clean it up with a leaf blower...LOL Good article chestercheeto48 It says you need a professional to do the blow in insulation. This is far from the truth. It is easy as shit. It does take 2 people. If you buy 20 bags they will usually give you the machine for free. You can do that whole area in a few hours.