Old house with ZERO insulation

18 years ago

My Mom & Dad built the one story house in Alabama in 1950. It is all wood with "asbestos siding" over asphalt paper. My Dad was very tight and refused to upgrade the house in any way. They has now both passed and my son wants to live there. I can blow cellulose into the attic and put fiberglass bats between the floor joists under the house.

What is the best way to insulate the exterior walls? The inside wall surface is all 3/4" T&G pine-no sheetrock! I have heard of drilling holes at the top and pouring/pumping vermiculite in, pouring in expanding foam, etc. Who knows the best way to do this? Is it a DIY job or for pros? Thanks

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Comments (5)

lucy
18 years ago
For one thing, you must get rid of the asbestos as it's no longer legal to use because it has serious health consequences. Is there a roof vent for the attic insulation (you need one or don't insulate there). Blown in insulation is what you'd do, but definitely use the pros, it's not something for amateurs.
mikend
18 years ago
Perhaps it would be better not to touch the asbestos, since removing it might me more problematic than just leaving it. Asbestos has no adverse health consequences if it is not aerosilized (which is what happens when it is removed). It is not used in current building materials, but it is not illegal to have it on one's house. If it is crumbling, it should go.
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lucy
18 years ago
Oh, I wasn't suggesting they remove it themselves, it does need to be done by certified experts.
worthy
18 years ago
If the shingles are in good condition, there is no requirement that they be removed. However, if you do have them removed, you may be required to have the work performed by an approved contractor. See Asbestos in Your Home. for further informaiton and contacts.

Check with your state environmental protection agency for specific local regulations.

Here is a link that might be useful: Asbestos Shingles and Siding
jamesbodell
18 years ago
If the shingles are in good shape, leave them. They should last another lifetime! Asebestos can be very stable.

I would use fiberglass in the attic. That is easy DIY, but as mentioned, you need to vent the attic properly for this not to rot your roof.

You can rent machines from the big box stores to blow insulation in your walls. Due to your siding, you will have to gain access from the inside. Your T&G is problematic as normally you would drill large hole and blow in the insulation. You will not be able to plug the holes and make them blend (unless your T&G is painted) Maybe you can pull it down and put in bats and nail the T&G up again?

I would not put fiberglass insulation under you floors. If you really want to do this, use 2" XPS board insulation instead. Or get a product like tiger foam and apply it. I would look into rim joist insulation and vapor barrier before I consider these options. Do a search, lots of opinions on insulating basements and crawlspaces here. I would need more information on your basement before making a recomendation.