Air sealing your attic or crawlspace could be a DIY type of home improvement, but it’s not a cakewalk. Some homeowners don’t feel like it’s a pressing matter, but there’s a bevy of perks that come with it. If you’re looking to put your money on a major renovation project, consider sealing your attic or crawlspace while you’re at it.
Even if you don’t see yourself as a DIYer, you can always hire a local home improvement contractor to do the hard work on your behalf. Talk to any local builder or contractor you know, and they’ll tell you the same thing: attic seal and insulation is a critical part of a major home improvement job.
Why Seal the Attic?
Not every home requires it, but sealing your attic or crawlspace takes immediacy over other renovation projects when you notice any of the following:
- Dust falling in the room below the attic
- Dry air in the winter
- A buildup of ice dams in the winter
- Increased heating and cooling costs
- Uneven temperature
- Presence of drafts
Call a qualified energy professional to perform an audit. The energy audit is the basis for a tailor-made solution for your home. It identifies the safety hazards and the areas that need improvement. Check in with your local utility company as there might be rebates handed out to homeowners who carry out a home energy assessment. You can also avail of those rebates through sealing and insulation projects.
Prospective Benefits
Unlike most improvement and renovation projects on your mind right now, sealing your attic or crawlspace doesn’t offer any aesthetic improvement. It may not beautify your house, but it does have a handful of critical benefits:
- Save energy
- Reduce noise coming from the outside
- Prevent the buildup of ice dams
- Less dirt and dust
- Prevent the entry of pests
- Improve humidity control
- Improve indoor air quality
As a practical homeowner, you’ll take these perks over curb appeal and visual improvements on any day.
DIY or Hire a Contractor?
You can seal the attic or crawlspace on your own if the area is accessible. See to it that you can move around without a fuss. You must factor in your DIY skills, too. If you haven’t accomplished any home improvement project before, you’re better off hiring a local contractor to do it instead.
There’s a ton of information and resources on how to go about this project, but if the conditions in the attic don’t allow for a suitable workplace, it’s best to stick to a professional. Hiring a qualified expert in air sealing and insulation means guarantees that these issues are resolved in no time:
- Damp insulation caused by a leaky roof
- Moldy floor joints and rotted rafters caused by moisture issues
- Kitchen and bathroom vents that exhaust moist air into the attic space
- Lack of attic ventilation
Safety Reminders in DIY Sealing
If you’re ready to give this project a “go” on your own, then see to it that you’re fully prepared to take on potential safety issues. For example, if your attic is fitted with vermiculite insulation, there could be traces of asbestos. Call for asbestos testing before you disturb or do anything with this type of insulation.
Efficiency and Safety Tips
- Grab all the tools, equipment, and supplies before you start so that you don’t have to go back and forth. Access to the attic is not a walk in the park, so be as efficient as possible. You should get everything in one trip to the attic.
- The last thing you want is a dark or poorly lit work area. The attic is naturally devoid of light, so grab a flashlight; a drop light is a lot better, though.
- Start your work early during the summer or when you expect the temperature to rise midday. Also, be sure you’re hydrated because you’re literally going to sweat it out.
- As for work clothing, choose something lightweight. Work with gloves and kneepads one as you’re doing a lot of crawling up there.
- Look for the joists and truss chords – you’re not supposed to walk over insulation and ceiling drywall unless you want to fall through the ceiling and get severely injured.
Caution on Indoor Air Quality
Sealing your attic or crawlspace may also trap indoor air pollutants, i.e., carbon monoxide. This risk is the reason why most homeowners choose to consult or even delegate the job to a professional. Address this issue by installing ventilation fans in crucial areas like the kitchen.
Aerobarrier for Sealing
Air sealing with Aerobarrier makes perfect sense when you’re renovating. It’s a simple solution to solve air leakages and insulation problems in an old home. No matter how extensive your DIY insulation project is, it’ll never cover leaks from inaccessible and hard-to-reach areas.
With Aerobarrier, a qualified local contractor comes in with the essential equipment and materials needs to prepare the house for a comprehensive air sealing process. The job is completed within a day, plus you don’t have to break a sweat.