How To Seal An Attic Opening

Apply self adhesive foam weatherstrip tape to the top edge of the stop.

How to seal an attic opening.

Attics aren t meant to be permanently sealed no matter what a builder or homeowner tells you. Insulate the cover with rigid foam that is glued in place or batt insulation that is mechanically fastened e g with wires and screws. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening. Adhere batt insulation to the top panel of the box.

Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. If the space around your plumbing pipe is wider than 3 inches you may need to stuff some fiberglass insulation into the space to serve as a backer for the expanding foam. For air sealing add caulk if the gap between the rough opening and frame is less than 1 2 inch. But you can note it in your report to cover your own back.

Once you have the materials you can begin to seal and insulate the knee wall access door through these steps. The standard air sealing recommendation is to install a compression bulb weatherstrip. Air seal attic access panels and drop down stairs to minimize air leakage. If the gap is larger use nonexpanding foam in addition to the caulk.

The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners. Apply a bead of caulk on the inside and outside edges of the trim and then reattach it. If you re prohibited from entering the attic there s not much that you can do about it. Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an.

Cut 1 3 boards to fit the perimeter of the opening and nail them on with 6d finish nails. Stuff gaps with insulation. From inside the attic check for any openings holes or fenestrations into the knee wall surrounding area. It should rest squarely on top of the stairway frame.

Sealing the attic hatch or door finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. Air seal the hatch perimeter the plywood hatch rests on a small wood strip lip. When you re done sealing your attic bypasses push the insulation back into place with an old broom handle or stick as you back out of the attic. Apply weather stripping to the door to create a seal.

Once the fiberglass insulation is in place follow the directions on the can to foam the space around the pipe. Add weather stripping or gasket material to the frame or attic access panel.