Foam Installation in attics?

Question

I would like to know if anyone has used foam installation in their attic of a townhouse. We are trying to stop neighbors smoke odors from coming through the attic wall and seeping down through the bedrooms. Walls are separated with cinderblock.

Answer 1

How about they get an exhaust fan direct to the outside? if they are exhausting into the attic that may be a violation of building code in your area.
Better to MOVE air than to try and block it.

Answer 2

The product that you are looking for is closed-cell polyurethane foam. Here is a site that has some good information:

http://www.foam-tech.com/products/urethane_foam/foam_properties.htm

If properly applied, this will be effective. However, the quotes I am getting for this type of work are pretty high. There is another possible solution that won't bust your budget, and it is worth trying.

The chemicals from the smokers are very tiny particles and are carried on air currents, determined by positive and negative pressure. If you can create a small positive pressure in your living space, the particles will not be able to enter the air space.

As an experiment, run a 4" hose(dryer vent, thermofin) from an outside opening to your return air for your a/c. Seal around it with tape/towels/cardboard at both ends. As your air handler operates, this will draw air from the outside (sometimes referred to as make-up air) and add a positive pressure to your home, negating the smoke odors.

If this proves to be effective, hire an a/c professional to give you an installation that is effective and esthetically acceptable. Once you have established that the fumes are being conveyed to your home via negative pressurization, or "pollutant pathways", you may have cause to insist that the landlord bears the expense of the remedy. Here is a good site for some info on pressurization and a healthy home, in general:

http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/science/pressures/index.htm

I hope this info proves useful.

Answer 3

Try a attic exhaust fan.

Answer 4

Use a plastic vapor barrier