What is the best way to insulate a storey and a half home that is 60 plus years old.
10/14/2013 at 12:46:12 PM
We have had problems with the ceiling in the kitchen and in one bedroom which is peeling and bubbling. The ceiling in the bedroom is cracked and it also looks like the hallway ceiling is going to start cracking as well. The walls are all plastered.
We had an insulation company approximately 6 years ago blow in R50 and install roof vents. However there are several small door entrances on the second level (one in each of the two bedrooms, one in the center area between the two bedrooms and another in the hallway) which are nailed shut. The insulation company only opened up the upper hallway door and blew the insulation through that area stating it would be sufficient.
This insulation was done after we had had the kitchen ceiling and north wall repaired via an insurance claim the same year. Now it is happening all over again. Sears had replaced the roof several years prior and I had them out last year to inspect the roof to see if this was the problem but the roof is fine.
10/14/2013 at 3:03:47 PM
The most common problem I have found in attics over the years is improper venting in the eves. I have had to clean out entire attics to remove mould, that had a thin coat everywhere. And I mean everywhere. All the joists, rafters, all the drywall backing. I have also renovated and repaired homes with thew same problems you describe. And in all of these cases, Insulation was iether placed in all the eves, but more common....blown into the eves.
When insulation companies are going to blow insulation there is netting or boarder material that is suposed to be installed to keep the insulation out of the eves. If not total blockage. There are inserts that were suposed to have been nailed or screwed in place that vent into the attic space from the eves. And not just a couple.
If you have poor airflow in the attic, you get moisture problems such as yours or mould issues. I would be suprised if you do not have black mould in the attic.
Go up in the attic with a flashlight and see if the eves have airflow. Do it in the daytime so you can see light coming in.
Good luck with the problem.
James Fram
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