We're gutting a 3rd floor to make it a bedroom. We're down to studs and there's all that blown-in insulation that looks like someone sheared a dozen sheep. We're going to install new insulation behind the new drywall. Any harm in leaving the old stuff back in there? Any advantage to leaving it there? We're under a 2-week deadline and don't want to add work unless there's a safety/advantage issue. THANKS.
2007-02-20 02:42:19 · 7 answers · asked by Lisa B 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Insulation loses it's value when it is compressed. It's the air in the insulation that provides the value.
If the new insulation is compressed, and/or compresses the old insulation, you will not get full value. If insulation is packed in, it is virtually worthless.
If your plan leaves the old stuff, without compressing it with new stuff...and you have complete fill of the stud-space, leave it.
When I can, I like to use batt insulation in the stud space, and a layer of foam over the studs, followed by a real good poly vapor barrier, then the drywall.
For the DIYer, extra insulation is virtually always cost effective. The increase comfort, noise reduction and lower heating/cooling costs will pay the effort back many times over.
2007-02-20 02:57:05 · answer #1 · answered by roadlessgraveled 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see a problem leaving the old blown-in insulation in the walls. Doing so will increase the R value therefore saving you more money on heating and cooling costs.
(Not to mention that removing old blown-in insulation is a really messy job!)
2007-02-20 10:51:04 · answer #2 · answered by mgrenia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you are puttin ontop of it. people think the more they can jam in there the better, but thats not always true, insulation uses "air space" to insulate also. air is an excellent insulter, believe it or not. There is a reason that roll insulation or blown in insulation is not tightly packed. there is small pockets of air all through there that helps in insulating. Go to your local hard ware store and tell them what you are doing, they will explain what you need to do. you may not need to ad anything over the blown in.
2007-02-20 10:54:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and leave it it can only provide extra insulation for you and it would be a pain to remove.
2007-02-20 10:45:17 · answer #4 · answered by CctbOh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it stays in the cavities, by all means leave it. But if it allready fell out, toss it, or use it in the attic. Be sure to use a vapor barrier before installing DW.
2007-02-20 10:48:49 · answer #5 · answered by handyrandy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a small fistfull outside and try to light it with a match or lighter on the driveway. If it ignites and completely burns to nothing on its own - remove it!
If it refuses to burn or stops burning once you remove the flame, you may keep it there.
2007-02-20 12:52:26 · answer #6 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No problem, leave it there...
2007-02-20 10:47:48 · answer #7 · answered by 6kidsANDalwaysFIXINGsomething 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋