Baby Its Cold Outside

My couple to-do list went into motion this past weekend! 

This weekend became insulation Saturday.  This to-do list had several projects.  Insulate all the plugs and switches on the outside walls, measure the insulation in the attic, purchase insulation if it measures less than 12 inches, purchase half inch (for the water lines) and three quarter inch (for the heat lines) pipe insulation (referred to as noodle) and install the noodles on the pipes in the basement and crawl space.  When I have projects slated for a weekend, I find I am successful if I do the easiest project first.  It gives me a sense of accomplishment and provides motivation for the larger projects. 

First up was the installation of the plug and light switch insulation.  I believe in the winter, I can feel the cold air coming from the plug and light switch.  My husband does not agree with me.  His comment when I installed the first plug was, “Wow!  It’s warmer in here already!”  I still installed all the insulation in the outside wall plugs and switches while he smirked at me.

The next item was the attic.  I do not like the attic.  The first step in overcoming a fear is admitting it.  I am spooked by the attic.  No reason really, I just am spooked by the attic.  My husband set up the ladder and I crawled in the opening and immediately saw we have over 20 inches of insulation!  Three cheers for the budget!  After I saw the amount of insulation, I held my breath to see if the second layer was non-barrier insulation and to my relief and joy, it was!  That made the attic less scary.

Since the insulation project in the attic turned into just an inspection, I then checked to ensure there were no leaks in the roof, no leaks around the chimney, and lastly, I checked the mortar on the chimney to see if repointing is necessary.    Repointing is not mysterious; it just means to replace the mortar between the bricks.  On the new list for the attic: roof fine, chimney fine and insulation fine.  I skipped down the ladder; really, I literally skipped down the ladder happy as can be. 

The last item was the pipe insulation.  I will admit I thought it was going to be a piece of cake to slap the noodles on the pipe.  I did not realize that someone would have to go into the crawl space; I confess, actually I forgot about the crawl space.  My husband tackled the crawl space since I inspected the attic.  It turned out my attic portion of the list was easier than the pipe insulation as he was going to be crawling around on his back installing the noodles, pulling the tape and sealing the noodles.  He  “noodle-d” the crawl space and I “noodle-d” the basement.  I am a foot shorter than my husband is.   Reaching the pipes, wrapping it in the noodle, pulling the tape and sealing it was more difficult than I anticipated.   When he finished in the crawl space, he came to my rescue and helped finish the basement.  His height advantage made reaching the band joist where the heat pipes run easier for him.  Together we completed the basement.



noodle pre-installation



We chose to insulate pipes, water and heat, in the crawl space, heat pipes in the basement, water pipes along the outer walls, and the accessible area below the sunroom.  We chose not to pull out the insulation in the floor and band joist under the sunroom to noodle the heat pipes.  We chose to leave some heat pipes exposed in the basement for heat.  The furnace lives in the basement but an actual radiator does not.  



noodle post installation

Our cost was minimal, under $100.00.  The outcome will be a success if I no longer feel the cold air from the outlets, the water in the kitchen and bathroom does not take as long to heat up or cool down, and the refill of our oil tank does not come so quickly.  I will keep you posted.   

I plan to research how much insulation should be in the crawl space.  It did not seem enough; I only stuck my head in for a second but...  I will have to rethink the crawl space.  Don’t tell my husband, he thinks the project is finished.