Comments for Foam Insulation

Comment on is there anything that will safely dissolve the insulation foam around hot tub pipes so that i can get to a le? by Fizzle

Fizzle — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:11:59 +0000

Your best bet is mechanical removal down to the pipes (carve it off). If you need to take more to clean right down to the pipes, you’re talking solvent and need REALLY GOOD VENTILATION. I can’t emphasize that enough; not so much because of the health issues as much as the flammability factor. Get the cheapest bottle of nail polish remover you can find and see if it works to dissolve the foam. If it works and you need more than a little, get a pint of acetone (the active solvent in nail polish remover) at a hardware store. VENTILATE!!! It’s nasty flammable stuff but a really, really good solvent. Only use as much as you need. I don’t know how it affects PVC. You might want to check it out on a scrap piece if you can find one. But it evaporates so fast in a fan draft that I don’t think eating through a PVC pipe will be a problem.
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Comment on how to close the concrete roof slab hole ? by Charlie C

Charlie C — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:42:59 +0000

just use pressure treated ply, caulking and spray foam filler as necessary.
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Comment on how to close the concrete roof slab hole ? by Lance B

Lance B — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:26:59 +0000

I would fill the main void with some kind of expanding foam, then after that drys gently cut any access off with out damaging any pipes, and caulk the rest with polyurethane caulk it’s strong, and flexible. They have different colors also.
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Comment on Home Insulation Tips by railroad_joe

railroad_joe — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:01:59 +0000

Contact your city or county building inspection office and ask them for the correct amount of insulation for your area. Or you can talk to someone at Lowe’s or Home depot or at your local hard ware store.
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Comment on Home Insulation Tips by metrodish

metrodish — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:59:59 +0000

Here is some helpfull information…
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation.html

As far as blown in insulation in an attic the R-value is determined by how many inches they blow in. Go and measure it with a ruler, determine what it is compaired to what the contractor put in his bid!

I doubt the are going to rip you off, the blown in insulation is cheap, its the labor to install it. A few extra inches of insulation is not going to make or break the bank with these guys!

I would only be concerned is if you bought spray poly foam and they installed bat insulation
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Comment on Home Insulation Tips by running_n_mt

running_n_mt — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:57:59 +0000

if it is in the attic it should be at least 10" high if in walls they have to be fill up (if u can see)
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Comment on Home Insulation Tips by Benny

Benny — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:55:59 +0000

He should be putting in a certain amount….in inches. Just go in there and measure it with a ruler. That’s the best advice I can give you. Ask him before you do this……..that way if he’s ripping you off……you can show him. If he still wants to rip you off, then hire an attorney
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Comment on Home Insulation Tips by reslstancelsfutlle

reslstancelsfutlle — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:53:00 +0000

Home Insulation?
How can I tell that the contractor is giving me the correct amount of insulation and not ripping me off by putting less in.

I know about wet vs dry fiberglass but what other tips can you give me about this.
BTW, it is being blown in.

Comment on Should I put spray foam insulation in my crawlspace? by KJ

KJ — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:57:59 +0000

Install - Radiant Barrier Foil

It’s a lightweight, reflective material made of a plastic substrate with a vapor-deposited coating of aluminum that is also used by NASA to protect astronauts during space walks.

This is a premium choice for insulation. It is applied by stapling it to rafters or laying it out over existing insulation. Radiant barrier foil reflects 97% of radiant heat (either keeping it in during the winter or keeping it out during the summer). It is the least-expensive energy improvement you can make in your home.
References :
http://www.coolattix.com

http://besthomeinsulation.blogspot.com/

http://radiantbarrierfoilinstallation.blogspot.com/

http://lowerenergycosts.blogspot.com/

Comment on Should I put spray foam insulation in my crawlspace? by Tedruski

Tedruski — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:08:59 +0000

Fiberglass insulation in any crawl space is just asking for trouble. We have done numerous termite repair jobs where we have replaced sill plates,floor joist,boxing or rim boards,sub-floor,bottom wall plates,studs. All because the floor joist cavities in the crawl space were insulated with fiberglass batts.
The termite inspectors found numerous *mud runs* behind this insulation and told us that termites love to build their mud runs in these areas because it allows them to keep the mud runs damp as they continue building them behind this insulation. They also said that even on scheduled inspections they have to remove this fiberglass insulation to do inspections. These inspections are needed annually to keep the warranty coverage in force.
Termites do not like the spray foam insulation and they choose not to eat away at it to build mud runs. Usually this fiberglass insulation bags done and becomes loose over time and the crawl space is hardly navigable once this happens.
The best crawl space we have been in have all had spray foam applied around the perimeter block foundation walls and in the ends of joist spaces at the boxing board or rim board. The floor area is usually not insulated as the radiant heat from the duct work helps keep this area warm once the foam is sprayed on the perimeter.
Some customers have had us have our electrical subcontractor install crawl space lights on a separate switch which has made a bath or kitchen remodel which often requires re-locating plumbing in the crawl space a lot easier.
Keep the crawl space fiberglass free -
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General Contractor 30yrs. and counting