r/homerenovations • u/ISO_Answers1 • 17d ago

Help - Ceiling missing two rows of insulation - Best options?

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I bought this house last November and now I am trying to remedy it being VERY warm inside. I got an inspection and found that two rows of insulation are missing from the area marked. Yes, the ceiling joists run horizontal like that.

It's not so easy to just cut out the drywall and replace - it's like 18 ft high.

I also JUST replaced the roof, so I am hesitant to do it from above...

I suppose I could cut a small hole and blow insulation in...

Inspector said an insulation company may be able to poke tiny holes and spray foam, but spraying foam into ceiling scares me (what if it expands too much)...

Does Reddit have any ideas?

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u/byobeer 17d ago

Go into the attic. It is accessible, is it not?

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u/ISO_Answers1 17d ago

The attic is accessible, but the ceiling joists run side to side, so I don't think the area lacking insulation is accessible.

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u/byobeer 17d ago

Can you push fiberglass batts into place with a broom handle.

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u/ISO_Answers1 17d ago

I don't think so. The ceiling joists would be in the way. They run side to side.

The guy I had come with a thermal camera said that was weird they run that way...

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u/pyxus1 17d ago

Open up the drywall in the skylight area.....nice neat square or rectangular cuts. Add insulation of choice. Put the drywall back, repair, paint.

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u/ISO_Answers1 17d ago

Yes but the question is HOW to do that given the location. It is over the stairs. I suppose I could get a ladder and position the ladder on the stairs, but it seems like a difficult and potentially risky task... I may have to pay someone.

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u/pyxus1 17d ago

Yes. That was what I imagined---getting up on a ladder.

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u/ISO_Answers1 17d ago

It's not as easy as it sounds in this location. It's directly over the stairwell... That may be why it's not insulated now. Hard to reach.

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u/CoffeeByIV 17d ago

You can get up there with scaffold. It’ll suck, but it’s doable.

I would get contractors to come and quote. Ask them their plan.

Personally I would call an insulation company to do it. This making the finer points of access their problem.

Make sure you lay out if they are patching the holes or are you getting in a mudder/painter to do it.

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u/ISO_Answers1 17d ago

I suppose this could be the last step of the remodel...

If they're already setting up scaffolding, might as well skim coat the whole roof and back wall at that point...

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u/Sneaky_Cucumb3r 17d ago

Don't do the spray foam. I've seen cracks and bulges form from expansion. Plus, it's nightmare if you ever have a leak above. Blown-in is going to be your best bet, but scaffolding will be needed. Big homes and tall ceilings are beautiful but a real pain when doing any kind of repairs. Many "pros" will not want to deal with that. Those that do will not be cheap.

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u/ISO_Answers1 17d ago

It's a tiny home with tall ceilings :(

750sq ft lot.