Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 16, 1999 06:39am | #1

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   Alice

   You're probably in for a wealth of opinion, but regardless off the
   i approach
   I think we need a little more info. Why did you demolish the ceiling and what type of insul did you remove. How is the attic area built. . . how much space(height) in attic, is it accessible? What size are the ceiling joists you might be insulating? What insul if any is there in the rest of the attic? What kind of beer are you supplying? . . we can be quite picky although many appreciate Guinness!! Have you seen our white rabbitt running by. . . and are you any relation to Phil & Tony (Canadian content)?

2. 
   Alice_Esposito | Apr 20, 1999 05:52am | #2

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   The attic above is room size and we recently took down all the insulation above due to moisture problems (condensation). Joists in the kitchen ceiling are about 6". We took this down due to sagging and moisture/mildew. We have a chance to correct the moisture problem now and I need opinions. The dumpster arrives Saturday - then we'll need to get busy insulating. I'm leaning towards insulating and sheetrocking the kitchen ceiling first. Then go through a Vermont winter to see what happens in the attic with snow cover on the roof.

   BTW, my hubby usually has Bass Ale on hand. When can we expect you?

3. 
   Guest_ | Apr 20, 1999 08:15am | #3

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   Hi Alice

   If you have an excessive moisture problem in your attic
   i caused by condensation
   you should find the source of that problem first and FIX it. Look for bathroom or kitchen fans that run into the attic and aren't ducted to the exterior, or heating supply or return ducts that aren't sealed. Look in the basement. . . any moisture
   i problem
   their will find it's way into the attic!! Also check, if you have a dropped ceiling valance over your kitchen uppers, that it isn't open into the attic

   If you're
   b absolutely sure
   you have no roof leakage, drywall & tape your ceiling, NO NEED FOR POLY, go back up into the attic and seal
   b every crack and hole
   in the entire ceiling (attic floor) with spray foam (in a can)
   ( if the rest of the ceiling is lath & plaster you're in for a big job). Seal around chimneys (with a metal collar & foam) and plumbing stacks, ceiling fixture electrical boxes, partition plates etc., etc., block off and seal any soffitt or gable or ridge vents and fill the attic with a foot or two of blown in cellulose fibre insul. Insulating
   i only
   the joist space will not be enough R-value!! A properly sealed ceiling, covered with d/wall and paint will be all the Vapour Diffusion Retarder you will need.

   The concept of the
   i vapour barrier
   has been discredited, and the term no longer used. Do not take any short cuts with the foam sealing!!! You must stop all potential drafts which will lead to condensation due to convection!!! Regardless of how complicated the roof structure might be, study carefully for any potential spot where a draft from the heated interior might enter your attic area. They must all be sealed without exception. Check to see if your walls are
   i ballon framed
   and open into the attic. . .openings like that must all be sealed

   Then do the same thing for your basement ceiling, paying careful attention to plumbing, duct, and chimney penetrations. If necessary install a basement door. If a crawlspace, cover the ground completely with poly. If you have a basement moisture
   i problem
   fix it first, it would be the
   i source
   of your apparently excessive attic condensation.

   Visit the web site http://www.weatherization.com for more info and photos of similar work. . . he lives in Vermont too!!! If you have time,(make the time) check the archives here at Breaktime - check for posts under VDR, dp cells,& attic ventilation,and posts by GeneL.& FredL and hunker down for a lonnnnng read!!!

   I'm a user of F/g, but attic jobs like yours are tailor made for blown in cellulose. . .. hire a contractor, or rent the machine yourself.

4. 
   Alice_Esposito | Apr 20, 1999 08:20am | #4

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   We've just taken down the old sheetrock and insulation from the kitchen ceiling.and from the attic space above the kitchen. We have just put down plastic in the crawl space below to seal moisture from below. Where would be the best place for the insulation and vapor seal? My guess would be the kitchen ceiling and just let the attic be cold. What materials? FG with Tyvek, then sheetrock? Help anyone?