To Remove the Old R13 with Kraft Paper or Not?
mpaullehman
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I read a previous post on this forum, but my situation is a little different. I live in PA. My house was built in the 60’s. Currently the attic is lined with a 3 inch thick Kraft backed fiberglass. Should I remove the old fiberglass before I blow in cellulose? Also, Silverfish seem to like the Kraft paper so every now and again they fall from the can lights. That’s really why I’m considering removing the old insulation.
Another quick question. How should I prep the can lights I put in a couple years ago? They are the type that are double lined and supposedly ok to have insulation butt up to the can. Sounds a little risky to me.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Replies
Hopefully,
the cans are the air seal type, but then you probably wouldn't have the vermin coming down from them. If they were, you wouldn't have to worry about air leaks or entries.
You can dam the insulation sides and top. Some use drywall "caulked together" as a 5 sided box with a bit of air space all around the can. You can then blow all around and on top with no worries. Others use foam board, but the heat of a can would disuade me from doing that.
Wood can certainly be used, but again, and air space all around (expecially at the top) would be wise.
Lay down these boxes on a thick bead of caulk and you are now air sealed (no warm moist air will get up into your attic space.
*I would suppose by now someone is marketing "can enclosures" and you can buy them somewhere, already done or in kit form.