There are easy clues around your home that can help identify gaps, cracks, and leaks in your thermal envelope (your walls). If you have these gaps, cracks, and leaks, you are losing money every month to heat and cool your attic, crawl space, basement, or even worse, your front yard. Here is an example of a place often missed in the insulation package. Does the water in your tub get cold quick in the winter? There is probably no insulation behind it if it is on an outside wall. The plumber often comes to the job site before the insulator and the insulator does not think to go back and install insulation in this area. If there is insulation behind the tub, there is probably no vapor barrier to keep it dry. This is the most humid room in your home, give it the proper attention in new construction. For more easy clues give us a call, we love helping you save money!

insulation in your bathroom

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8 Comments on Insulation Gaps

JUL
11
2011
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Do you mean like this, when a contractor comes to install ceiling canister lights in the cathedral ceiling and removes the insulation from one end and never replaces it Charles?

This gap went all the way up the ceiling!  You can clearly see two lights (which aren't badly insulated) and the section of ceiling between two rafters without any insulation at all!

It made for an interesting inspection and blog post!
8:00am • #1
941,568 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

This is a good point when living in colder parts of the country.
8:01am • #2
126,254 Points

Harry, this applies to any part of the country. Insulation has to be installed correctly everywhere, but specifically in our mixed humid climate, there are certain building science issues that need to be addressed.

 

Jay, yes we find the strangest things in homes. Why would anyone remove the insulation and not put it back. That is just bad customer service!
8:03am • #3
203,119 Points 1 Featured Post

This is one reason why the new business to be a part of is home energy audits..........................chris
8:07am • #4
126,254 Points

Yes, the Home Energy Audit market is growing fast and has great demand. It is also a reason to hire an architect and keep them on for construction administration.
8:14am • #5
JUL
13
2011
455,527 Points 1 Featured Post

Good Morning Charles, excellent input for any area of the country.  A great architect can make a remodel 'perfect'!
4:28am • #6
126,254 Points

Dan,

Thanks for that thought about involving architects. I certainly think bringing a trained professional into the dicussion, whether it is a real estate transaction or construction is very important.
9:02am • #7
NOV
10
2011
125,932 Points

Wow, I would say that is worse than a grade 3 installation. What that shows there is a lack of education. Imagine if every contractor, handyman and home owner just got a few minuets of training on how to install batt insulation how much money it would save.

I see you posted a picture with Guardian insulation hopefully they don't come after you like they did this guy. http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-news/guardian-fiberglass-threatens-blogger-legal-action?utm_source=email&utm_medium=eletter&utm_term=insulation&utm_content=20111109-insulation-manufacturer-cries-slander&utm_campaign=green-building-advisor-eletter
9:52pm • #8


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Charles Hendricks

Harrisonburg, VA

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The Gaines Group, PLC Architecture and Design

Address: P.O. Box 2591, Harrisonburg , VA, 22801

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