Loft Insulation Query

Wishbone Ash

I moved into a different house a few months ago and it has a very shallow attic space. I ventured up there for the first time a few days ago to check out the insulation. It's a very difficult attic to move around in as it involves crawling around and squeezing under beams. The house has about 10 dormer style window and sky lights and is built on a street corner making the attic even more complicated. I wasn't impressed with the insulation as it's missing in lots of places especially along the edges above the recessed ceiling lights. (There are dozens of recessed lights in the bedrooms).

A couple of queries:

1. Is it safe to place insulation over the recessed lights? Are they meant to be left uncovered?

2. The attic sides of the dormer windows and sky lights have no insulation. Would it be helpful to place thick polystyrene on these areas? (And what would secure it in place (No More Nails?).

Thanks for your help.

_Brian

You could install led lights in the down lighters and then it would be safe to cover them.
With regular bulbs they can overheat quickly and cause a fire.

Around the dormers and such would it be worth getting the lads in to do spray foam ? You will loose a good deal of effectiveness trying to retrofit these areas with board etc.

dok_golf

the above post - seconded

the_pen_turner

post a pic of the access. you would be amazed at some of the attics that are insulated. .

blown in insulation is a great option for smaller places

Wishbone Ash

Thanks Brian.

_Brian wrote: »

You could install led lights in the down lighters and then it would be safe to cover them.
With regular bulbs they can overheat quickly and cause a fire.

Excuse my ignorance but how will I know if the are LED bulbs or regular bulbs? There are 36 recessed lights upstairs so I presume it will be expensive to change all of them.

Around the dormers and such would it be worth getting the lads in to do spray foam ? You will loose a good deal of effectiveness trying to retrofit these areas with board etc.

I can't see any company agreeing to work in this attic as it's virtually impossible to manoeuvre around. My TV/Aerial man said he will never again enter it as he felt he was in the tunnel in 'The Great Escape'.

(I should also have said that movement is furthered hampered by cables and pipes strewn everywhere as there are 3 bathrooms with pumped showers to service. There is also a CCTV operations system with some sort of screen and harddrive and loads of cabling coming into it.)

Alun

Sounds like my attic, Houdini himself would have trouble moving around in it, plus I also have wiring and pipework that appears to have been done to a design drawn by a drunken spider.

Calahonda52

_Brian wrote: »

You could install led lights in the down lighters and then it would be safe to cover them.
With regular bulbs they can overheat quickly and cause a fire.

Around the dormers and such would it be worth getting the lads in to do spray foam ? You will loose a good deal of effectiveness trying to retrofit these areas with board etc.

Bad advice: LEDs give out less heat but they don't run cold.
Apart from the fire risk, they are designed to run cool so covering them with insulation will shorten the life, if the fire doesn't shorten yours.

The proper way is to use what are called "flowerpots" which are sealed to the ceiling, which improved air tightness.
eg:
http://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/Ireland/Products/Product-Detail/Optime-Down-light-protectors

I agree with TPT, we need a picture or a diagram.

see attached

ps power cables will need to be sleeved before being buried in insulation

Wishbone Ash

Here are a few pics. The last one is one of the skylights - the only one that is easily accessible as it's above the access point.

the_pen_turner

that's not too bad . iv been in a lot worse.

is that a shower vent pipe I see

you really need to insulate those pipes. they are very exposed

Wishbone Ash

the_pen_turner wrote: »

that's not too bad . iv been in a lot worse.

is that a shower vent pipe I see

you really need to insulate those pipes. they are very exposed

Yes, there are 3 shower vent pipes.

Insulate the black water pipes? I'm intending to do so. (I'm right beside the sea so frost isn't generally a problem but I'd prefer to have it done anyway).

One side of the attic is a lot more accessible than the other. Most of the windows are in the more difficult side and not pictured above as I didn't fancy crawling through tonight.

the_pen_turner

I would investigate those vent pipes they seem a bit hap hazard. one looks like it been moved a bit

_Brian

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Bad advice: LEDs give out less heat but they don't run cold.
Apart from the fire risk, they are designed to run cool so covering them with insulation will shorten the life, if the fire doesn't shorten yours.

The proper way is to use what are called "flowerpots" which are sealed to the ceiling, which improved air tightness.
eg:
http://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/Ireland/Products/Product-Detail/Optime-Down-light-protectors

I agree with TPT, we need a picture or a diagram.

see attached

ps power cables will need to be sleeved before being buried in insulation

Are there not specific stand offs to be got for the back of led recessed lights to allow insulation over them. ??
Google “downlight insulation guard”

C. Eastwood

If you bought the house recently - you should have got a Structural Survey carried out and all of these problems would have been identify. The electrical installation looks dangerous. The draughts will cause substantial heat loss. A registered electrician can sort out the electrics. Fit sealed light units that will not allow draughts down through the unit. Do not allow a "Insulation Expert" loose in your attic. You should retain a Chartered Building Surveyor for advice on the insulation, who should produce a Specification of Works to be carried out in the attic. The Surveyor will recommend various sub-contractors to carry out the necessary works, carry out inspections of the ongoing works, and certify the works in accordance with the Building Regulations on completion. The Surveyors service will be covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance.