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The House: Insulation
If insulation is specified, check on the insulation in the attic and also see that
you have open louvers (ventilators) in the attic. A louver is a slatted opening
with screen wire on the inside that provides circulation of air, summer and winter.
It is very important that these attic vents or louvers be left open throughout the
year. Occasionally, homeowners cover up the vent opening to conserve heat or keep
out winddriven rain or snow. Openings should never be left closed up for more than
a very brief time, such as during a severe storm period. Closing up this
ventilation area can produce excessive condensation, and the resulting
moisture may cause rapid deterioration of parts of the roof, walls, or ceiling.
In basementless houses with crawl spaces, foundation vent openings are for the
same purpose of providing air circulation. It is important also that these
foundation vents be left open the year round except for very brief periods
of severe storm. Where heavy treated ground cover paper or roofing has been
laid over the entire ground surface in the crawl space, the need for
foundation ventilation is much less. However, in all cases some ventilation
is important not only to prevent excessive condensation and deterioration
of floor construction and other parts of the house but also to maintain better
safety. A tightly enclosed crawl space without any vents whatsoever could be a
hazard where gasfired or other type of unit heating systems are located within
the crawl space and where sewer pipes are in this area and could cause small
gas pockets if the under floor space is nearly airtight.
There are a number of types of insulation which are satisfactory. Foil, fill,
slab, or board types of insulation installed between, over, or under framing
members will be effective when properly used. Check your specifications and
ask questions. If you have a flat roof, the method of installation will be
different from that for sloped roofs. The important consideration is proper
use of the particular type specified.
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