It s easy to overlook electrical wires ducts pipes and vents in the attic but the openings around these are holes can compromise the air sealing of your attic.
How to seal a attic.
Weatherstrip the attic access hatch or door.
To seal these openings use caulk or spray foam.
Before you think about heading into your attic to seal air leaks and add insulation here are the things you will need first.
Apply self adhesive foam weatherstrip tape to the top edge of the stop.
The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners.
Without air sealing your attic you are allowing warm air to escape from your home carrying with it your hard earned winter heating money.
Cut 1 3 boards to fit the perimeter of the opening and nail them on with 6d finish nails.
Sealing the attic hatch or door.
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.
Air seal your attic for energy savings.
If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening.
For larger holes filler material may be needed.
Finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping.
While there are a variety of ways to seal and insulate an attic hatch the most effective method is through the installation of an approved attic access cover such as attic gator by yellowblue.
Pull the door tight.
Sometimes referred to as a scuttle hole cover attic access covers are products specifically designed to solve the insulation and sealing problems.
Most people just add insulation to their attic this will not stop the escaping warm air.
Seal attic floor holes.