Sealing Attic Leaks

Tips and materials checklist for sealing attic air leaks.

Sealing attic leaks.

While you are in the attic sealing air leaks look for any ductwork that may be up there. Blocking the air from leaking through the attic door is one of the most important things you can do. Sealing duct leaks can improve the efficiency of your hvac system by around 20. Repairing a roof leak from the inside is a temporary fix only.

When you re done sealing your attic bypasses push the insulation back into place with an old broom handle or stick as you back out of the attic. Your attic door or drop down attic stairs are a major source of air leakage. Home comfort problems often start in the attic where poor insulation and numerous air leaks create problems for your heating and cooling system and make your home uncomfortable. Take a look at 4 things you should do as.

Attics can suffer two types of leaks. If you have ducts that aren t sealed you are probably leaking a lot of conditioned air into your attic space. Air sealing the attic door. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the.

Your biggest savings will come from plugging the large ones. Attic insulation air sealing experts enjoy a more comfortable healthy and efficient home with quality attic insulation services. Better yet there are high quality products such as the attic gator designed to both seal and insulate attic access doors and scuttle holes. Most people just add insulation to their attic this will not stop the escaping warm air.

Water leaks are more obvious as telltale signs such as darkened water stains evidence of mold on the. Your options for air sealing the attic door are. Plug the big holes first. It s by far the largest hole in your ceiling and it s probably costing you a fortune.

The epa estimates that the typical american home has enough leaks holes and gaps to be equal to an open window every day of the year. We need to seal the air in our conditioned living space from the unconditioned attic space. Once in the attic refer to your sketch to locate the areas where leakage is likely to be. Make the final repair as soon as weather permits.

Don t let a hot or cold attic rob your home of comfort. Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11. Don t worry about finding and sealing all the little holes in your attic. To properly seal your attic hatch also known as an attic door or scuttle hole at a minimum you should apply weather stripping and ensure the attic side of the attic door is insulated.