Loose Fill Insulation Blackmud Creek

Loose-fill insulation in Blackmud Creek — settled depth is what you are buying

Blown-in material fills the awkward parts of an Blackmud Creek building that batts leave gapped — around cross-bracing, over the top plates of interior walls, into the shallow triangle at the eaves. It settles over time, which is why it is specified at a settled depth rather than the depth it looks on the day. Air sealing comes first, because loose material laid over an open ceiling penetration hides the leak instead of stopping it.

• Existing material assessed — topped up, or removed if it is wet or contaminated
• Even coverage carried right out over the top plates
• Ceiling penetrations air-sealed first, not buried
• Baffles at the eaves so soffit venting stays clear
• Depth read back at the corners, not just where the hatch is
• Settled depth specified and marked before the hose starts

Loose Fill Insulation Blackmud Creek

The material must not block the eaves

Blackmud Creek drywall in context

Blowing into a wall that is already closed

Weight on the ceiling below

Cellulose or fibreglass, and when it matters

Storage areas and the platform question

Settled depth versus installed depth

Simple, clean, on schedule — Drywall in Edmonton

Loose Fill Insulation Blackmud Creek: your questions answered

Does the attic hatch need doing too?

Yes, or it undoes a good part of the rest. It needs an insulated weatherstripped cover and a dam around the opening tall enough to hold the new depth back from spilling through every time it is opened.

Is it too heavy for my ceiling?

Rarely, but worth thinking about on an older lath ceiling or a long unsupported span. Where the ceiling is old or already sagging we would rather use the lighter material at a sensible depth, and sometimes recommend fixing the ceiling first.

Will it make the house quieter?

It noticeably reduces airborne noise from outside — traffic, aircraft, neighbours. It does very little for footsteps from a floor above, which travel through structure, and we would rather say which half it fixes.

Can you just add over what is already up there?

Usually, and it is the best value if the existing material is dry, even and uncontaminated. If it is damp, matted, rodent-affected or hiding unsealed penetrations, adding over it buries the problem — we tell you which one we found.

Can I still store things in the attic?

Only over a raised platform. Anything laid straight on the joists compresses the material and cuts a thin channel through the middle of the ceiling. Otherwise a fully insulated attic is not also a storage room.

What about my pot lights?

Older recessed fixtures are not all rated to be covered and loose-fill packs right against them. We check the rating, and where they are not rated they get a proper clearance detail that is also sealed, rather than being buried and hoped about.