Question:

I have a 1970 construction mansard style roof in a Zone 5 area of western NY state. The second story room walls have 1/2" sheetrock, 2X4 studs, fiberglass batts and then open space to the steep portion of the roof. The soffits vent past these walls into the attic. The attic has 6" batts between the rafters. A blower door test shows very significant air flow down into the basement along the chimney chase and via walls that are connected and open between the second story mansard and the basement - about 6 feet of wall with plumbing. Ice damming is also significant. QUESTIONS: Do I fill the attic with R38 cellulose and block the wall/soffit vents or do I maintain the airflow from the soffits and just try to seal the basement (adding the R38 as well)? I am getting conflicting information from energy "experts". Please help. Thanks.

Answer:

Thanks for your inquiry, it is important that you maintain the airflow especially to the attic, if you are getting air movement to the basement I would suggest that you insulate your header spaces more effectively to contain that air movement, also from what you have told me it might sound that those walls that contect the second to the basement have little to no insulating behind them. The ice daming would be a good indication that there is a lose of heat in that area. So in conclusion i would properly seal the basement headers and maintain the air flow in the attic. For any questions or inquiries feel free to contact me Sam Marrello Comfort Insulation 613-226-9912.

Answered By: Sam Marrello

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