How to Install Blow-In Insulation in an Attic
Since heat rises, attic insulation is one of the most important components in your home. Without insulation in the attic, your heated air would escape through your roof, and you would be left with an extremely large energy bill. Blow-in insulation is often seen in attics, due to its simple installation and insulating properties. You install blow-in insulation with a special machine that you can rent at a hardware or home improvement store. The machine fluffs the insulation as it blows it over the attic space so that it can reach its full insulating potential. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove any objects from the attic. Place a ruler upright on the floor in each quadrant of the attic so you can tell when your insulation has reached the correct depth. The insulation bag will state how thick the insulation must be to obtain your desired R-value.
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2
Fill the blowing machine's hopper with blow-in insulation, according to the machine's directions. Set the discharge rate as indicated on the packaging. Turn on the machine's master switch.
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Go into the attic with the blower hose. Start at the farthest point from the attic access hatch. Open the hose nozzle and begin spraying the blow-in insulation. Keep the hose horizontal to the attic floor and blow the insulation parallel with the spaces between the floor joists.
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Hold the insulation hose close to the floor when insulation has to be blown under obstructions. Try to blow the insulation toward both sides of an obstruction to obtain maximum fill up.
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Keep insulation well away from the eave and soffit vents, to maintain proper airflow in the attic.
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Work your way back toward the hatch as you continue blowing the insulation. Turn off the machine and add more insulation to the hopper as needed.
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Check the insulation thickness, using the ruler in each quadrant as a guide. Verify that you used the correct number of bags per 1,000 square feet.
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Close the hose nozzle when you have finished insulating the entire attic. Turn off the machine.
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Tips & Warnings
Only use your hand to direct the insulation if absolutely necessary. Using your hand can compress the insulation, and you will not achieve maximum energy efficiency.
Try not to step on the new insulation. Stepping on it will cause it to pack down.
Only step on floor joists as you work. If you step on drywall, you may fall through the ceiling.
