How To Seal An Attic Opening

Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape.

How to seal an attic opening. From inside the attic check for any openings holes or fenestrations into the knee wall surrounding area. Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an. Apply self adhesive foam weatherstrip tape to the top edge of the stop. Attics aren t meant to be permanently sealed no matter what a builder or homeowner tells you.

If the gap is larger use nonexpanding foam in addition to the caulk. Once you have the materials you can begin to seal and insulate the knee wall access door through these steps. Sealing the attic hatch or door finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. But you can note it in your report to cover your own back.

Apply weather stripping to the door to create a seal. Cut 1 3 boards to fit the perimeter of the opening and nail them on with 6d finish nails. Adhere batt insulation to the top panel of the box. Air seal the hatch perimeter the plywood hatch rests on a small wood strip lip.

Add weather stripping or gasket material to the frame or attic access panel. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners. 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. Insulate the cover with rigid foam that is glued in place or batt insulation that is mechanically fastened e g with wires and screws.

Install a gasket around attic access openings to air seal between the opening and the panel covering. Apply a bead of caulk on the inside and outside edges of the trim and then reattach it. 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. The standard air sealing recommendation is to install a compression bulb weatherstrip.

Where possible take the additional measures and enter a sealed up attic space. It should rest squarely on top of the stairway frame. Air seal attic access panels and drop down stairs to minimize air leakage. Use spray foam to air seal these openings if they exist.

If you re prohibited from entering the attic there s not much that you can do about it. Stuff gaps with insulation.