Go Back  DoItYourself.com Community Forums > Interior Improvement Center > Basements, Attics and Crawl Spaces
Reload this Page >

working in an attic with cellulose insullation help

working in an attic with cellulose insullation help


  #1  
Old 08-10-15, 09:35 AM
M
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 2
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Question working in an attic with cellulose insullation help

Hello

New homeowner here. I would like to install a bathroom fan in the bathroom of my bungalow to get rid of moisture. The attic where there fan would go is very low and piled high with cellulose insulation, I am not sure what is the best way to work up there and searching did not give me good results.

Is it best to move it out of the way, work, then move it back ?

Can I just put a plywood board on top? Will compressing it ruin it or lessen the r#?

What do people usually do to work in attics as such?

Is a raised platform or something that does not disturb the loose insulation used?

I have attached some photos to show the insulation and the attic, full size available at Imgur (there is a fist/second/third)

Thanks for your help.
 
Attached Images    
  #2  
Old 08-10-15, 10:12 AM
Handyone's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: U.S.
Posts: 4,807
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
You'll be OK just moving the insulation away from your working area and then lightly pushing it back in place after.
Ensure any fixture you install is rated for IC, Insulation Contact. The IC rating should be clearly marked on the fixture. If there's any doubt of the IC rating, post back.
 
  #3  
Old 08-10-15, 10:56 AM
Tolyn Ironhand's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 14,329
Received 877 Upvotes on 740 Posts
I wish all the attics I have been in had that much room!

You will compress it with your body/legs while working. Be sure to wear a dust mask as cellulose is VERY dusty, although I do not find it very itchy. When you are finished, fluff it up with your hands while you are back tracking to the scuttle hole.
 
  #4  
Old 08-10-15, 11:04 AM
S
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WI/MN
Posts: 19,125
Received 1,263 Upvotes on 1,204 Posts
You are planning to vent the fan through the roof and not into the attic, right?
 
  #5  
Old 08-10-15, 01:15 PM
M
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 2
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
I will check IC rate when I get home, thanks for the tip.

Seem like it's ok to both move and compress as long as I fluff it back to its space I guess

I will be venting out through the roof and not into the attic, correct.

Is its possible/recommended to put down permanent "flooring" up there?
 
  #6  
Old 08-10-15, 01:20 PM
Tolyn Ironhand's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 14,329
Received 877 Upvotes on 740 Posts
Anything is possible. I wouldn't recommend it.
 
  #7  
Old 08-10-15, 01:37 PM
F
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
Posts: 16,321
Received 38 Upvotes on 30 Posts
Is its possible/recommended to put down permanent "flooring" up there?
Probably not. Although you appear to have rafter construction the ceiling joists of the room below may not have been sized for any "live" load from above. Further, you would have to construct "saddles" over the joists to elevate the flooring above the height of the insulation else the flooring would severely compress that insulation.

Yes, venting out the roof is the correct way. You should also insulate the exhaust duct to minimize any condensation, either internal or external.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: