DIY Loft Insulation Techniques
Although putting insulation in your loft can be challenging, most of the time it isn't difficult. The good thing about it is the money you'll save on your energy bill. According to the Energy Savings Trust, by adding 250 mm of loft insulation where you have none, you will make your cost back in as early as 2 years. If you want to do this yourself, you'll have to go to a specialty store. Due to the awkwardness of the materials, they can be hard to transport, so you should get someone to ship it to yourself. It wouldn't cost you too much more to have it done professionally, than to do it yourself. If you do it yourself, be sure of your skills, because although it isn't difficult, it is important that it is done right. So in the long run the price might be worth it to get a professional to do it. However, you aren't here to learn how a professional does it, you are here to learn how to do it yourself!
So let's just jump right into the middle of all this fiberglass and silly little things of the like! Let's answer a few basic questions such as: Do I have easy access to the space that needs insulation? Do I have the tools that I need to complete the work? Do I need to work on any other parts of the house? Could my house possibly be infested with any kind of bugs? Are all the wires in my house in good running condition? How much light do I need? Is that light provided by the sun or any kind of lights in the wall? Are there any holes or cracks in the ceiling? If any of these questions present a problem, you need to make sure you handle these problems before continuing.
Remember you are only as good as your tools. Make sure you have all the tools required to lay the insulation. Also, remember, if the roof is in a damaged state, you are going to have to fix this before it ruins your insulation. If your roof is damaged while you put your insulation in, and it leaks, this will be devastating to your insulation installation. Also, if there is a chance of insect infestation, you have to understand that if you don't take care of it, the insects will devour the insulation, making it not only devastating for your insulation, but for a kind family of ants too. And they don't deserve that kind of treatment!
Details of Loft Insulation
Generally up until now, these tips have all been common sense. Now we will get into some of the more technical aspects of installing insulation. First off make sure you insulate the water tank, and any other pipe work. This will prevent any heat loss during the winter, as well as freezing of the pipes. Though you should make sure you don't insulate directly below the water tank. Also try not to work on the joists; this could cause severe roof and ceiling damage. Instead, try to find a plank of wood that is strong enough to hold you. You should also make sure the roof is ventilated properly to get rid of any chance of wetness. Water leads to insulation damage, and insulation damage is definitely something you'd like to avoid!
So another question that you surely have is "How much loft insulation do I need?" Well, you probably need roughly the same amount of rolls as you have joists. The rule of thumb is 200 liters for every 200 Sq. mm. There are some very handy calculators online.
There are some safety concerns we should address before you start becoming Mr. Fix-it. Make sure you handle wool fiber glass with extreme care as it can irritate the skin and throat. You may be better off wearing gloves and a breathing mask. (You can pick up the masks at any hospital for free by the way.) Make sure you don't open the insulation packages in your living areas. Make sure you keep the insulation away from the little ones; it does look an awful lot like cotton candy.
While laying the insulation, make sure you are covered with all the clothes you can muster, or at least make sure you are completely covered up. Prepare to lay that wicked awesome warm fuzzy stuff called insulation! Make sure you remove anything in the way, trash and stuffed animals included. Seal off any holes you find. Also make sure all vents are properly open, but guarded. As you begin to unroll the material, there are a few specifics you should follow. Start at the eaves and begin to unroll the insulation, leave just enough room for the vents, and make sure the wool is not stretched. Put the insulation under and cabling, wiring, or pipes. If any pipes run down the eaves, just shove insulation all around them! Now rinse, lather, and repeat until you have a room full of insulation! You should now almost be properly insulated. Now just use any spare insulation to fill any gaps, but make sure you leave room for vents and what not. Welcome to your new insulated home that stays hot in the winter, and cool in the summer!
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