Loose Fill Insulation Rideau Park

Loose-fill insulation in Rideau Park, measured rather than estimated

Blown-in material fills the awkward parts of an Rideau Park 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.

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

Loose Fill Insulation Rideau Park

Pot lights buried in loose material

Rideau Park drywall in context

Knob-and-tube and older wiring

Topping up what is already there

Blowing into a wall that is already closed

Working in a cathedral or a low attic

What we hand over at the end

Simple, clean, on schedule — Drywall in Edmonton

Loose Fill Insulation Rideau Park: your questions answered

How is old insulation removed?

With a vacuum and hose into sealed bags, not shovels, because disturbing decades of settled material raises a lot of dust. It also gives a clean deck to air-seal and a look at the structure before it is covered again.

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.

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.

Does loose-fill settle?

Yes, which is why it is specified at a settled depth rather than how it looks on the day. A job blown to look right can measure short a year later. We work to the published settled figure and mark it before starting.

What if you find old wiring?

If we find wiring that must not be covered, we stop and say so rather than blowing over it. That is an electrician's call, not ours, and it is a real reason a job gets paused rather than finished the same day.

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.