Attic Restoration, New Attic Access Installation, and Gable Vent Re-Screening in Tulare, CA

The homeowner contacted us because her home was unbearably hot during a particularly bad Central Valley heat wave and her cooling bills were out of control. She specifically complained that her air conditioner was running constantly, but was not able to adequately cool her home. We inspected her attic and found that her insulation was very low, only about 5-6 inches. In addition, her gable vent needed to be re-screened as it was not allowing properly ventilation in the attic which was a major contributing factor to her ait conditioner not being able to function effectively.

To remedy this, we determined that we needed to do a full attic restoration. We extracted and disposed of the old insulation. We then cleaned and sanitized the attic using Nisus DSV sanitizer. This is a concentrated disinfectant, cleaner, mildewstat, fungicide, and sanitizer that kills a broad spectrum of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Once we had a clean area to work with, we pinpointed all areas where air leakage could occur and sealed those areas with closed-cell foam. This included all top plates, wire and plumbing penetrations, and registers. By sealing the attic, air is prevented from flowing between the attic and the home’s living spaces. Additionally, we installed barriers at any potential rodent entry points to prevent them from accessing the attic. We cleared the soffit vents to ensure improved ventilation of the attic space. We also re-screened her gable vent to allow proper ventilation.

We installed a new attic access because the old access was broken and therefore dangerous. It also allowed too much air to leak into the living spaces of the home. 

Lastly, we increased the level of insulation in the attic by blowing in premium, Johns Manville fiberglass insulation to a height of 14 inches. This provided the Energy Star recommended R38 level of insulation. 

As a result of this comprehensive attic restoration, this homeowner will enjoy a more comfortable home, lower heating and cooling bills year-round, and better indoor air quality for as long as she lives in the home.