Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 06-19-2009, 10:42 AM   #1
strat hd
 
strathd's Avatar
 
Trade: framing contractor , remodeler , GC occasionally
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,696

Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


This client wants me to bid on building a three car garage, replace rotted wood siding before the painter gets there. Also replace the front porch deck and add some gingerbread type stuff that they allready purchased. These items are no problem.

They also want blown in insulation in the walls but don't want the plastic caps. They are suggesting removing a few pieces of the lap siding at the top of the first and second floors blow in the insulation and then replace the siding.

Are there any other ways or methods to do this ?
If so, can you also tell me the time frame involved ? (time per bay, ect.)
I am not an insulating contactor. If I should walk away from this one feel free to say so.

I doubt they will be able to get a permit for the garage as they dont have enough property for the zoning requirements. They seem to think they can since they're in the historical section of town. So i'm trying to get all the work I can at this job.
Attached Thumbnails
Insulating an old house, need some help.-004-2.jpg  

strathd is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 06-19-2009, 10:56 AM   #2
Pro
 
JonM's Avatar
 
Trade: Building and Remodeling
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CONNECTICUT
Posts: 1,615

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


You will need to remove a piece about a foot from the top, one in the middle and one about a foot from the bottom...you can try to remove the nails on the two consecutive pieces and try to slide the bottom piece out...but I suggest just cutting one piece just below the other with a utility knife and pop one piece out...then caulk alone that cut and nail it back when you are done...you only need one inch holes if you are going to use cellulose insulation. Check the basement and make sure the bays arn't open above the foundation wall...or you will be pumping forever until the basement is full.
JonM is offline  
Old 06-19-2009, 01:13 PM   #3
Pro
 
Tom Struble's Avatar
 
Trade: siding
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: west milford n.j.
Posts: 8,863

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


hmm cut it out and caulk it back up, interesting idea

beautiful house by the way
__________________
Tom
Tom Struble is offline  
Old 06-20-2009, 03:32 AM   #4
Pro
 
tommytwo's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeling and Home Performance
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 119

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


instead of drilling three holes like JonM suggested, we take off a row of siding below the windows, drill a 3" or 4" hole (4" gives you a little more room to play if there is newspaper, cardboard, or backplaster in the cavity) and push an 1 1/4" hose up the cavity.

As the cavity gets full, pull the hose out a few inches at a time. The time per cavity depends a lot on the blower and the insulation you are using. Smooth reducers from your blower hose to the 1 1/4" hose helps a lot.



There is a little more information starting on page 80 here:

http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDo...sota%20WFG.pdf


Hope that helps,

Tommytwo
tommytwo is offline  
Old 06-20-2009, 07:18 AM   #5
Suck it up, or shut up
 
rservices's Avatar
 
Trade: Flooring, wall covering, Handy-man
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: wisc
Posts: 399

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


I read once that someone insulated from the inside right below the ceiling, and then put up crown molding.
I haven't done this, but I read about it (CT I think),
rservices is offline  
Old 06-20-2009, 07:47 AM   #6
Sean
 
SLSTech's Avatar
 
Trade: General Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cullman, AL
Posts: 4,513
Send a message via Skype™ to SLSTech

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


Another option is using slow expanding foam - small holes drilled in each bay (about the only time I would Icenyne - I think they lead the pack in this area)

In exterior patch with drywall or plaster, exterior - a dutchman of same material

Use a FLIR camera to confirm all bays filled --- it's amazing were they have filled in doorways, etc... blocking up the bays
SLSTech is offline  
Old 06-20-2009, 10:14 AM   #7
Curmudgeon
 
neolitic's Avatar
 
Trade: carpentry/remodeling/"Yes M'am we do"
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Beech Grove, Indiana, Birthplace of the "King of Cool"
Posts: 11,707

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


My guess is holes above
and below windows.
Probably four holes, per stud bay,
per floor (my guess.)
The challenge will be first
figuring out where all of
the stud blocking is.
__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)
neolitic is offline  
Old 06-20-2009, 10:44 AM   #8
KemoSabe
 
loneframer's Avatar
 
Trade: residential framing/siding/general carpentry
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vineland, New Jersey
Posts: 12,828

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


I grew up in a town with homes that were built in the late 1800s to early 1900s. After having blown in insulation installed, most homes had a chronic problem with pealing paint, seems alot of those homes were sided over balloon framing with 1x8 sheathing boards. The blown in prevented the backside of the siding from getting proper air circulation. Many now have been sided with either aluminum in the 70s and 80s or more recently vinyl.
__________________
__________________________________




"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"




__________________________________
loneframer is offline  
Old 06-20-2009, 11:13 AM   #9
Pro
 
CharlesD's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeling/building
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Live In Illinois.
Posts: 234

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


Drill your holes, blow in your insutlation then use these--
Pine Wood Plugs | Insulation Equipment
CharlesD is offline  
Old 06-21-2009, 11:47 AM   #10
strat hd
 
strathd's Avatar
 
Trade: framing contractor , remodeler , GC occasionally
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,696

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


Thanks for the replys. With this house being in the historical section there's no way the city would allow vinyl. Think i'm going to look at some of the other houses in that area to see how they dealt with the paint peeling issues. Most of the houses in this area are pristine.

There's about a half mile of these houses on Main st. Loneframer. They remind me of Cape May. This house is one of the small ones.

Flir camera $500. rental off the net. Good advice.
Did'nt know the wood plugs existed.

I have no idea how long it will take to insulate this house so i'm going to bid time and material.

Thanks to all that replied.
strathd is offline  
Old 06-21-2009, 12:04 PM   #11
KemoSabe
 
loneframer's Avatar
 
Trade: residential framing/siding/general carpentry
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vineland, New Jersey
Posts: 12,828

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


Quote:
Originally Posted by strathd View Post
There's about a half mile of these houses on Main st. Loneframer. They remind me of Cape May. This house is one of the small ones.
Strat, I grew up in Millville, many of the earlier homes are very similar to Cape May, although not as elaborate as some. It's a shame that most of these homes have been turned into rental properties and the original architecture has been desicrated. Homes that would cost countless dollars to replicate today sell for under $150,000. You couldn't do the exterior siding/trim package for less than that. The city is trying to turn things around, much progress has already been made.This home is listed at around $250,000 in the arts district.
__________________
__________________________________




"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"




__________________________________

Last edited by loneframer; 06-21-2009 at 12:07 PM.
loneframer is offline  
Old 06-21-2009, 12:09 PM   #12
Pro
 
JonM's Avatar
 
Trade: Building and Remodeling
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CONNECTICUT
Posts: 1,615

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


The wood plugs are a bad idea...expansion and contraction will push them out sooner or later...some of those clapboards are going to be cupped and you won't get a flush fit.
JonM is offline  
Old 06-21-2009, 12:13 PM   #13
strat hd
 
strathd's Avatar
 
Trade: framing contractor , remodeler , GC occasionally
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,696

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


Quote:
Originally Posted by JonM View Post
The wood plugs are a bad idea...expansion and contraction will push them out sooner or later...some of those clapboards are going to be cupped and you won't get a flush fit.
Thanks, that makes sense !
strathd is offline  
Old 06-21-2009, 10:38 PM   #14
Pro
 
parts's Avatar
 
Trade: Insulation contractor
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: CT
Posts: 164

Re: Insulating An Old House, Need Some Help.


Removing and replacing siding is the way to go but that's a big place with lots of short clapperboards and decorative trim around the windows. Even with the small hose up in the wall that's probably three hole minimum per bay more if they went nuts with the blocking even more. Also with all the pouch roof there is probably is no sheathing on the wall under it and will take longer.
parts is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
every year house Traditions2 Painting & Finish Work Picture Post 3 12-06-2010 11:48 PM
High Efficiency House Ideas Vrooman Green Building 43 02-12-2009 03:54 AM
Animal House Electric Bubbles Electrical 15 01-22-2009 01:37 AM
Company Growing! In house accountant resources? Help! ds6154 Business 1 01-11-2009 10:32 AM
Raffle a House? WhyNotFab Marketing & Sales 2 11-17-2008 04:20 PM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?