When homeowners are looking for potential projects around the house, they often wonder, “Is air-sealing the attic worth it?” Attic air sealing is a home improvement project in which a homeowner or hired contractor finds all the open seams, cracks, and gaps in the attic and seals them. If you’re thinking of redoing your home’s attic insulation, we highly recommend air-sealing the attic beforehand.
Air sealing an attic can be challenging if your attic is larger than most, with lots of corners and tough-to-reach areas. Read on to learn about sealing attic air leaks, the benefits of air sealing an attic, and attic air sealing costs. We’ll also go over the steps to attic air sealing, should you choose to do it yourself, and the tools and materials you’ll need.
The Need for Air Sealing an Attic
Since most of us don’t spend much time in our attics, we tend to ignore or overlook them. For those asking themselves, “Is air sealing the attic worth it?” the answer is a resounding “yes.”
There are two main reasons to ensure you’re attending to your attic and sealing air leaks.
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Energy Efficiency
Your HVAC system puts out a lot of work to keep your home at an optimal temperature. If your attic is full of cracks and spaces for air to escape, the system has to work extra hard to keep you and your family comfortable. This issue can severely reduce your HVAC system’s life span.
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Mold
The attic is one of the most common places for mold growth in American homes. Attics are especially susceptible to mold because they are humid and full of organic material to feed mold.
Mold needs moisture to flourish. If your attic has areas where rainwater or vapor can get in, the problem can escalate quickly. Not only does mold create health problems for the people under your roof, but it also eats and destroys the wood sheathing in your attic and ceiling.
A mold infestation can result in major structural damage to your home, coupled with some expensive repair bills.
Required Tools for Air Sealing Attic
Only start a project once you’ve assembled all your equipment first. The tools you will need before you begin sealing attic air leaks include:
- Safety glasses
- Hard hat (for nails in the ceiling)
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Jumpsuit
- Breathing mask
You may also need the following:
- Utility knife
- Caulk gun
Required Materials for Air Sealing Attic
You will need some or all of these materials to seal spots in the attic where the air is passing through:
- Sealing spray foam
- Flashing
- Wooden boards or plywood (if your attic doesn’t have a finished floor to stand or lay on)
- Foam insulation board
- Weatherstripping
You won’t know which materials you’ll need until you inspect the attic. At Attic Projects, our team can do a full inspection, find any areas that need sealing, and patch them up quickly. We use the most advanced methods and equipment in the industry.
Process of Air Sealing Attic
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Find All the Air Leaks
Examine your attic for wet spots or spaces where light is coming in. If your attic floor insulation is visible, check for dirty areas where holes are letting dust in. You may have to remove your attic floor otherwise.
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Seal the Wall Plates
Underneath the dirty insulation, you’ll find gaps in the top wall plates on the attic floor. Coat the gaps with a spray foam sealant.
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Cover the Electrical Boxes and Wires
Find all the electrical boxes that penetrate the sealing and cover them with the sealant foam. Spray around and over any wires to create an airtight cap over them.
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Recessed Lighting
If you have recessed lighting, the fixtures will be in the attic and are probably not sealed. Do not spray sealant foam directly on the lighting fixtures, as it is a fire hazard.
Instead, make a box to cover them with foam insulation board and use the sealant foam to affix the boxes to the attic floor. Make sure each fixture has three inches of space from the inside of the box on each side.
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Seal the Attic Door
A lot of air gets through your attic door, which means conditioned air for your living space wastefully leaks into your attic. Add some weatherstripping around the door to prevent this waste from occurring.
Cost to Air Sealing Attic
Air-sealing attic cost ranges from $500 to $3,500. Attic air sealing costs vary on the severity of the issues, the amount of and type of materials required, and the amount of labor involved.
At Attic Projects, we offer honest work at a fair price and always let you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Benefits of Air Sealing Attic
The benefits of air-sealing your attic include
- Energy Savings: Putting less strain on your HVAC system means it will last longer and save you money on your monthly energy bills.
- Increased Value: If you’re thinking about selling your home, air sealing your attic will raise its value on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) – Air Sealing Attic
Is Air Sealing the Attic Worth It?
Yes. Air sealing saves homeowners money on structural repairs, HVAC maintenance and replacement, and monthly energy costs.
Should an Attic Be Completely Sealed?
Attics need ventilation to keep air circulating. If the air in the attic is stagnant, the moisture will adhere to the wood sheathing, causing mold outbreaks.
Is Air Sealing More Important Than Insulation?
They are both crucial to keeping your attic at its highest energy efficiency. However, air sealing does more for efficiency and preventing mold growth.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about air sealing your attic, hiring a professional contractor guarantees maximum energy efficiency. The technicians at Attic Projects work diligently to ensure every customer is fully satisfied with their investment. Call our professionals to get your attic air-sealing project started!
