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Home Improvement Thread - Page 4

post #46 of 51
2/21/11 at 12:55pm
Thread Starter 
Does anyone really understand insulation and attic venting? I am baffled - excuse the pun, about a goofy situation in our attic and a lack of proper vents.
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post #47 of 51
2/21/11 at 1:02pm
^Ask away. I've had some experience.
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post #48 of 51
2/21/11 at 1:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dakota rube View Post
^Ask away. I've had some experience.

Bear with me.


1. house is 1925 vintage
2. roof is last 5 years
3. in the 60/70 (based on evidence) - a room was cut into the attic. ]
4. roof is a standard dormer roof.
5. room that was cut into the attic separtes the 'attic' into two contained areas
6. area one, is basically a crawl space in the lower part of dormer. it wraps the whole roof. it has insulation in the basedeck, then plywood. at the outer edge (the soffit), there is what looks like white pebbles. There is no soffit venting on this part of the house. additionally there is faced r-13 stapled to the roof rafters. No plastic vapor barrier.

7. Part two of the attic is completely sealed off from part 1 (as near as I can tell) is in the upper part of the attic. I have no idea what is up there as I cannot gain access. I do know that there is ridge venting on the roof, that would be in the upper attic.

Here is my questions

1. do/should I cover the attic insulation I can get to with vapor barrier.
2. will cutting soffit vents in do anything since they cant circulate out the roof
3. should I cut a vent from the room to the upper attic to get the ridge vents more involved? ( i figure I could use a cold air return style vent in the ceiling of the room and rely on the gaps in the 'room's walls to circulate air out of the lower attic?

Thanks!!!
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post #49 of 51
2/22/11 at 2:08am
That seems like a lot to take in over the net. I'd suggest calling a good contractor or home inspector to take a good solid look. I'm not trying to be rude but with questions like that it seems like home improvement isn't your field. EDIT: I just tried to re-read your post. Vapor barrier goes on the hot side of the insulation, not on the top in the attic.
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post #50 of 51
7/10/11 at 7:53pm
Cleaning up a bathroom...new paint/caulk and some fittings.

What is the proper way for handling the tile to painted wall intersection in a shower?

Should it be painted first and then caulked with silicone kitchen/bath caulk or caulked with painter's caulk and then painted over?

I would think that the silicone is the better option but the previous job was definitely painted over (although the previous job was terrible, hence me fixing it)
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post #51 of 51
7/11/11 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by otc View Post
Cleaning up a bathroom...new paint/caulk and some fittings.

What is the proper way for handling the tile to painted wall intersection in a shower?

Should it be painted first and then caulked with silicone kitchen/bath caulk or caulked with painter's caulk and then painted over?

I would think that the silicone is the better option but the previous job was definitely painted over (although the previous job was terrible, hence me fixing it)

In the past, we have always done caulking last. After everything is painted and cleaned up, we do the caulking. As long as you're cleaning your fingers with a wet rag while cleaning up excess, you should be fine. Also, if there is any existing caulking, take it all off first. Never put calking on top of calking.
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