How to Blow Cellulose Insulation Into Walls
Cellulose insulation is a product made from recycled paper and has excellent insulating factors. By blowing cellulose insulation into your exterior walls, you can realize energy savings and create a more comfortable living area. Insulating walls will also help to reduce external noise. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Loose-fill cellulose insulation
- Insulation blower machine
- Tape measure
- Drill with hole saw attachment
- Wall plugs
- Silicone caulk
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Instructions
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Measure from the corner of the exterior wall, with a tape measure, to locate the cavity spaces. Each cavity between a set of studs should be filled. The studs will be on 16-inch centers.
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Remove a row of vinyl siding to access the exterior wall. If the home is aluminum sided or has another exterior finish, such as plaster, you will need to drill right through the exterior finish with the hole saw. Cavities that are dissected by a window will need holes drilled above and below the window.
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Drill a hole to access the cavity space. Measure the size of the nozzle on the filler tube of the blowing machine and the size of the wall plugs you will be using to ensure the right hole saw size.
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Insert the nozzle of the blowing machine into the wall cavity and turn on the machine. The machine will begin to labor when it feels back pressure from the insulation, so you know that the cavity is filled.
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Install wall plugs into the holes. Use a silicone caulk to ensure that they stay put. Reinstall the vinyl siding. If it was necessary to drill through the exterior finish of the home, paint the wall plugs to best match the exterior finish.
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Tips & Warnings
Blowing machines can be rented from tool rental centers and most home improvement stores that sell insulation.
Drill your holes at the top of the wall cavities so that you can use gravity to ensure it is well filled.
You can blow insulation into wall cavities from the interior of the home, but this will result in a great deal more finishing repair. However, it may be preferable to drilling through the exterior finish.
