How to Install Loft Insulation Yourself
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Joined: Apr 25, 2013
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If you opt for blanket loft insulation, which is the most popular kind, then you should have no problem installing it yourself even if you have little or no DIY experience. There is no need to pay for a professional contractor to come round to do the job for you. However, there are some potential hazards and it is important to prepare yourself appropriately and take all of the necessary precautions to ensure that you do the job properly while staying safe. The following guide will walk you through the process of installing blanket loft insulation.
Preparations to Make
Follow the steps below to plan and prepare for your loft insulation project.
? Determine the amount of insulation your loft is going to need. A single roll of blanket insulation should cover just under fourteen square meters. A typical two-bedroom terrace house, for example, will need about four rolls in total while a three-bedroom detached house will need at least eight. These are only guidelines, however. It is still important to accurately measure the surface area of the loft to avoid buying too much material. The recommended depth of insulation is 270mm, so if you are topping up existing installation, you should not need so much or you can buy thinner rolls. You should also determine the width of the spaces between the joists.
? Determine the size of the hatch leading into your loft space to make sure that you will be able to fit the rolls of insulation through it.
? Thoroughly clear out the loft. You will need a clean and organized space to work with when it comes to making further preparations and installing the insulation.
? Lag any cold water pipes. Once you have insulated your loft, the space above the insulation will be much cooler. If there are any cold water pipes in this area, they may freeze during particularly cold weather. To make sure that this doesn't happen you should lag them with an adequate amount of insulation material. If the cold water tank is in the roof space, you should ensure that this is properly insulated as well. You can purchase a special insulative jacket to place over any standard-sized water tank.
Installing the Insulation
Follow the steps below to safely and properly install the rolls of insulation.
? Get something to walk on such as some heavy boards or planks lest you risk damaging the ceiling while installing the rolls of insulation.
? Wear suitable clothing which fully covers your arms and legs. You will also need a dust mask, a pair of goggles and some gloves. These precautions are necessary if the insulative materials consist of things such as mineral fibre or glass wool as they are highly irritant when working with them for an extended period. If you are using material made from sheep's wool, you will not need to take these precautions.
? Start unravelling the first roll of insulation at the far end of your loft. You will need to cut it to fit in some case. For this, you will need either a sharp knife or a large pair of scissors. When laying out the insulation, be sure to leave a couple of centimetres between the edge of the material and the eaves as this will help to promote airflow and prevent damp.
? Place a second layer of insulation if you want it to be more effective. If you place a second layer, then lay it the other way around so that it covers the joists.
? Attach some insulation material to the back of the loft hatch. Many people forget about this and wonder why their loft insulation is less effective than it should be. Simply nail or tape some of the material onto the hatch.
Some Additional Safety Tips:
? Keep the insulation material comfortably far away from any lighting fixtures or chimney stacks. This will help to decrease fire risk.
? Avoid putting insulation underneath any cold water tank that you might have in your attic. Instead, fold up the insulation material around it and use a tank jacket.
About author: Laura Ginn
?Laura Ginn knows that when it comes to insulating your home you should start in the most important area, loft insulation. Compare energy prices with uSwitch and discover just how much more money you could save on your energy bills.
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