Questions tagged [attic]

Attics (also called "lofts") are the space immediately below a house's roof.

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Why does my home continue to warm after sundown?

I live in a 1950's single-story ranch-style with a vented attic space (with a roof ridge vent). I haven't turned on my central air yet for the summer, and I've noticed that the air temperature inside ...
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What is this dirt on the top of my high ceiling wall, how do we remove?

We just noticed there is some dirt on the wall by my foyer close to the ceiling. On the other side of this wall is a small attic space. The wall to the right, where the bar is, has a bedroom on the ...
Barry Chapman's user avatar
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3 answers
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Using Patch Panel for CAT6a wiring from attic to closet

We have run CAT6a cable throughout our house and will be placing the network switches in a closet. The wiring will enter the closet from a wall backing to the attic space (we aren't coming down from ...
Dead Pixel's user avatar
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Is wiring laying alongside an attic access opening a code violation or safety concern?

I have a new house nearing completion in Manning, South Carolina, with all non-metallic jacket wire. However, the scuttle holes for two retractable stairs and attic lift had wires blocking access ...
Kimberly Panos's user avatar
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Would insulating copper pipes keep the water cooler?

All of my plumbing runs through copper lines in an accessible attic in a 1960's slab-on-grade ranch style home in Phoenix, AZ where I don't need to tell you how hot the attic can get for a huge chunk ...
user2873462's user avatar
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How to protect big bundle of NM cable near attic scuttle hole?

I want to relocate my attic scuttle hole to my hallway. However, there is a huge number of NM electric cables (I count 10) running next to this location, currently stapled to a major support beam ...
Sue Raisty's user avatar
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7k views

Could a sweating pipe in the attic drip water onto the ceiling?

I have a sweating pipe in my ceiling from the AC. I have changed the filter and have tried to clean the coils the best I can. The pipes have no insulation around the sweating pipe. Would this cause ...
Rodney Howard's user avatar
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Is this flue dangerous?

I had access to a ladder the other day, so naturally I was poking around in the attic of our house where we have lived for about a year. Above the closet where the furnace and water heater are located,...
browly's user avatar
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where is safe to step on in attic

please see attached picture. Is it safe to step on the angled wood support highlighted in red box?
user21479's user avatar
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Where is the best place to store cardboard?

Having recently moved, a thrifty state of mind, and plenty of room for storage, taking into account mice, mold, and structural breakdown: Would it be better to storage collapsed moving boxes in the ...
Joshua Drake's user avatar
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368 views

How can I add flooring to this attic without compromising the insulation?

I am looking for a good/cheap way to add flooring to this attic space without compromising its function. It runs the entire length of the front of the house and we'd like to use it for storage. Would ...
Gideon's user avatar
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Will this attic insulation plan close off the option of a whole-house fan for summer cooling?

Some house context: apx. 1300sq.ft. built in 1960, block basement foundation and stick frame, asphalt roof in a relatively rural setting with high winds in plant hardiness zone 6. We usually cool by ...
cr0's user avatar
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Add attic access in garage?

I'm going to need access to the attic area of my house to run some cables. The current access is in a closet on the opposite end of the house; getting up there is a bit of a pain, and then I would ...
Paul Price's user avatar
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Should I replace a single powered roof vent with ridge vent according to my roofer's advice?

I am new to home improvement, and I'd like to ask your advice. I am the owner of a house in Maryland. Within a few weeks, we will install a new roof.  Currently, my roof doesn't have a ridge vent, and ...
Sam Kim's user avatar
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Considerations for installing a high efficiency furnace in my attic?

I live in Upstate NY and in the winter it gets below 0° F. I currently have baseboard water heating throughout my home. Prior to this I believe there was a gravity furnace which supplied the house ...
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Ways to add proper ventilation to attic with ridge vent on roof?

We got a new roof about four ago. The attic is unfinished. It's a split level home, and hot as Hades upstairs. Unfortunately, the roofers didn't consider attic ventilation. They installed a ridge ...
Monica's user avatar
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Insulating that attic hatch - the type with fold-out steps

This attic hatch does have fold-out steps inside... It would be great to put a layer of insulation at the level A: unfortunately, once the steps triple-fold and you put the hatch up, the folded ...
Fattie's user avatar
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Is it OK to splice NM and NM-B cable?

I'm replacing some light fixtures in my house, and the existing cable coming out is very old. I was able to make out the stamp along the length, and it's 12/2 NM cable, rated to 60C. It's got a ...
Bill's user avatar
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What to pay attention when putting flooring in the attic

I have a cold attic meaning the insulation is on the bottom. I would like to put flooring here so that I can use this area as storage without abusing it. What do I need to pay attention for this job? ...
Umut's user avatar
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Determine the best placement for attic ladder installation

I have recently purchased an attic ladder from HD to install myself in my townhouse. I have determined 2 good installation points that will not interfere with future furniture placement. The options ...
Jacob Evans's user avatar
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How to assess deal with termite damage

I am under contract on a house in AZ. There is obvious termite damage. The termite inspector found half a dozen spots (in rooms that hadn't been painted recently) near ceiling and top of walls where ...
maplemale's user avatar
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What can I do with these roof trusses to cover them up a bit?

Relating to another question about loft conversion I also want to fill up the gaps in between the trusses on which the roof tiles lie on. So during allot of build I heard here and there that some ...
Piotr Kula's user avatar
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Is this garage attic storage platform safe?

We're converting some of the attic space in our garage for storage and I'm hoping someone here can help with some concerns I have about the work that was done. I'm handy but not in construction and ...
Mike630's user avatar
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Replace or supplement very old attic insulation

My attic has very old insulation, which I have been told provides very little R-value. I suspect the insulation was from when the house was built in 1909. Question: Should I remove this old insulation ...
amphibient's user avatar
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Best way to hang a server rack in the attic

I am building a little home network, and bought a 6U server rack. Right now, it's sitting in the attic, and I am trying to think how to best hang it up. I am pretty new to this, and I am bit concerned ...
iBiryukov's user avatar
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Replacing attic light switch with Leviton combo

I want to replace and old Leviton attic light switch with a Leviton combo switch/outlet. The junction box has two Romex cables in and one out to the current light. The two in have each a black wire ...
Mitch Moccia's user avatar
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3 answers
8k views

How do you retrofit attic baffles in attics with very little room?

Just wanted to get some best practices or opinions on this. I have two teenage sons that want to make some money on one of my flips. The house has literally no insulation - maybe 4 inches at its ...
DMoore's user avatar
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Can I make my own foil faced insulation?

I come across this video where they talk about the product called SilverGlo. I'd like to add this insulation into my attic on my own but I am unable to find a seller. I found a similar product in ...
Grasper's user avatar
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Covering sprayed attic insulation with plywood rather than drywall

I have new spray foam insulation between 2x6" rafters, and I would like to cover it directly with plywood (for aesthetic reasons) rather than drywall. Is that an issue with fire barrier code?
Slobvrflw's user avatar
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Will installing an OSB floor in the attic create moisture problems?

I installed some new OSB flooring in my attic. The area it covers is about 160 sq. ft. The total area of the attic is about 750 sq. ft. There is just blown fiberglass up there, and there is no vapor ...
Michael Stalker's user avatar
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Why is there water dripping from my ceiling AC vents?

I have a one story house with hot water heat. The house also has forced air AC ducts running from the attached garage, in the attic, down into the living room, bedrooms, and kitchen. At certain times ...
MJ.'s user avatar
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1 answer
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How to pass NM cable through framing for fixture centered on gable end

I am looking to install a light fixture above my garage for my driveway. I would like the fixture to be centered, however this falls right against a stud on the framing. Is it permissible to drill a ...
CGEffex's user avatar
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Should humidity levels in my attic be the same as outdoors?

In my attic should the moisture level be the same as outside? I’m in Canada so what should the moisture levels be during the seasons?
Saad's user avatar
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Laundry air intake from the attic

There is a washer-dryer, water heater and A/C furnace in my laundry room, all of them gas operated. There is an exhaust fan in the ceiling and an intake vent that connects directly to the attic so ...
Siamak's user avatar
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1 answer
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What kind of light can I put in my attic?

I live in California. I have an attic that is accessible via a ceiling hatch. The attic is not big enough to stand up in. I added some storage to the attic by laying down a few small sheets of ...
AlecJTrevelyan's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
847 views

Can you install loft flooring on rafter ties?

I'm looking to floor the loft of my house for some light storage (mostly decorations and clothes) and have a potential idea that would not only give a better finished result but also save some time ...
RyanfaeScotland's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
925 views

Insulate behind fixed walk up attic stairs

I have a full set of stairs that walk up into an unfinished attic space. The full sized access door to these stairs is in a hallway as if its a closet. Unfortunately, the max distance I have under ...
J Dilly's user avatar
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1 answer
2k views

Okay to cover attic joists with plywood?

I have long scraps of plywood (1/2 in and 3/4” thick) left over from a recent renovation and since they are my retirement plan, due to price paid,I don’t want to toss them and don't really have a good ...
David's user avatar
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1 answer
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New construction, do the supports look correct in the attic?

I have a house under construction and this is how they are supporting the roof. Does this look correct? Thank you for your input! ]1
Ron Well's user avatar
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1 answer
2k views

Insulating a 4" gap between roof and false ceiling

My house has a false vaulted ceiling with a 4" gap between it and the roof. Unfortunately, whoever installed this ceiling neglected to install insulation in this gap. However, I can access the gap ...
Elliot B.'s user avatar
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2 votes
4 answers
2k views

Can you put a whole house fan in an attic if you live in it?

We live in the top two floors of an old brownstone in NYC. It gets CRAZY hot on our top floor, which is really the attic of the house, but where we have our three bedrooms and one bath. It's also ...
Gerda's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
2k views

How can I install/remove ceiling lights from the attic? [closed]

I have a home with vaulted ceilings (20 ft high) and recessed lighting. I have access to the fixtures and wiring from a stand-up attic. I have needed to rent a very high ladder or scaffolding to ...
Lee's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is it a good idea to cap fiberglass batts with blown cellulose?

I currently have fiberglass batt insulation of about 6 inches (in some spots less than that closer to 3 inches) due to a cleanout necessitated by rodent activity which has been hopefully remedied. I ...
Irene's user avatar
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1 answer
443 views

False roof frame in ceiling

Have never figured out what this is. There is basically a false roof frame in the attic. The peak is the opposite direction of the actual roof. As far as I know there hasn't been any major remodeling ...
Jestep's user avatar
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1 answer
560 views

Contractor vented bathroom vents in attic, now I have mold. Is he accountable? [closed]

A few years ago I bought a home. The inspector found mold in the attic and pointed out that the upstairs bathrooms did not have vents. I remediated the mold and had an electrician install vents that ...
JMD's user avatar
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1 answer
2k views

Do I need soffit vents for my knee wall attic?

I purchased a 55 year old home that has no soffit vents. The attic space consists of a knee wall attic space and peak attic space. The peak attic space has vents at each end and a ridge vent at the ...
Ronald McDonald's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
5k views

How do I determine what supplies to buy to insulate an attic?

I would like to add more insulation to an attic. What measurements and points do I need to look at to decide what materials to buy? How do I determine if I need airflow baffles? How do I determine ...
Freiheit's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
160 views

What are these full-height studs in a half wall for in my attic?

I'm prepping to finish my attic. It's a new construction home, but the attic was most pre-framed and wired. However I noticed that there are floor to "ceiling" studs at the top of the ...
Technupe's user avatar
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3 answers
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How can I repair an attic ladder that doesn't operate smoothly?

I have an attic ladder that is warped somewhere and is really hard to fold and unfold. Eventually that warp caused too much pressure on one side of the ladder and the bolt holding the elbow of the arm ...
Ambrosino Properties 's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
2k views

Discovered my bathroom exhaust fan has no ventilation, what do I do?

Asking for help or advice on how I should run the new ducting for the existing bathroom exhaust fan. Whether I should run the ducting to the soffit, siding or roof? I would also ask for "Pros&...
Dustin's user avatar
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