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.
Diy seal an attic.
If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening.
The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners.
Finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping.
In addition they are usually constructed from thin wood or drywall neither of which provides any appreciable resistance to energy loss.
If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the.
I m all about diy when it saves me time or money.
Even if you think you do a good job there can still be issues with bats finding a way around your work.
Bats will hibernate in the winter if the temperature stays at around 35 to 40 f.
To get them out identify their entry and exit points making sure not to seal them while the bats are inside.
Sealing is where most of the work is going to be involved.
Gaps in the attic or between the lower floors and the attic will let heated or cooled air escape to the great unconditioned outdoors making any insulation you add essentially useless.
And when i say seal every nook and cranny you really need to get in there or else this is not going to work seal every gap 3 8in or larger.
Find a diagram of common air leaks here here s a quick primer on fixing draft prone spots.
Killing them is both inhumane and will create an unlivable environment due to the smell of a colony of decaying bats.
Before you think about heading into your attic to seal air leaks and add insulation here are the things you will need first.
I was a bit shocked at the 1 500 2 500 contractor estimates for attic sealing.
Increasing attic insulation is a fairly complicated diy project 1 3 days or a full weekend but is completely doable if you have the right materials and information.
Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11.
My cost was under 150 and it took me less than a day.
Diy sealing the attic hatch attic hatches are often not air sealed allowing air to transfer between the conditioned space and the attic.
You must be highly detailed.
The number one prep step.