I'd like to put insulation in the attic, is it difficult?

Markus9

Hi everyone,
I'm thinking to replace the insulation in my small attic, it's old and flat and doesn't really work anymore. There is also a plastic water tank that is not insulated as well as the pipes.
There are many things I wanted to ask because I've never done it and I don't really know from where to start.
- With what should I start? The pipes? The Tank? The insulation rolls?
- What do you suggest to use for the pipes?
- What do you suggest to use for the tank?
- When putting the rolls should I place them above or below the electric wires?
- Do I need to cover/protect the wires with something?
Any other suggestion and explanation is more than welcome of course
Thanks for your time, 
Markus

Gumbo

Markus9 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
I'm thinking to replace the insulation in my small attic, it's old and flat and doesn't really work anymore. There is also a plastic water tank that is not insulated as well as the pipes.
There are many things I wanted to ask because I've never done it and I don't really know from where to start.
- With what should I start? The pipes? The Tank? The insulation rolls?
- What do you suggest to use for the pipes?
- What do you suggest to use for the tank?
- When putting the rolls should I place them above or below the electric wires?
- Do I need to cover/protect the wires with something?
Any other suggestion and explanation is more than welcome of course
Thanks for your time, 
Markus

Sort out your possible fire safety issues first then worry about the attic.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057864337

Are you in an apartment or a duplex or a house?
What type of construction is it? How old is it?
Have you any photos of the current set up.

Markus9

I shouldn't have fire safety issues, I have an apartment and maybe there is a problem with the duplexes. I'll take some photos.

Markus9

about the electric wires I think I should lay them down on top of insulation rather than cover them with insulation. Is that correct?

mike_2009

Did mine last year:

With what should I start? The pipes? The Tank? The insulation rolls?
Pipes first, lag them, then lag the tank top and around the sides only, leave the bottom to let heat in and avoid freezing.
- What do you suggest to use for the pipes?
go down to a local builders merchant, they'll have foam lagging, just note the pipe size so it's snug, keep receipt and return and swap if it isn't.
- What do you suggest to use for the tank?
You can buy lagging jackets for different size tanks - measure it and talk to local builders suppliers. It's black bags with insulation in it and a few lengths of twine, nothing special! Make sure your tank has a lid, mine didn't.
- When putting the rolls should I place them above or below the electric wires?
The insulation you use should be laid with electrical wires OVER them if possible. worst case I put down 2 x 100mm layers above my roof joists and ran the wires in between these two layers as they were very tight. Make sure there are no loose wires / junction boxes with loose or exposed wires laying around, hard to find afterwards!
- Do I need to cover/protect the wires with something? Not necessarily, ideally they should be run off the insulation but talk to your local electrician for advice.

I bought a large batch of knauf earthwool to supplement the original old fibre glass laid between the rafters. Laid it 90 degrees to those. I also checked ventilation and purchased some plastic trays which prevent the insulation from blocking the vents, very important so air can circulate.

There was a sale on MDF board which I laid and moved as I went to avoid foot through ceiling! Respirator was also useful as old fibre glass is bad for the lungs, and long sleeved clothing and gloves to avoid irritation.

Hope this helps!

James 007

https://www.woodies.ie/tips-n-advice/how-to-insulate-an-attic

Markus9

Thank you so much Mike, this helped a lot. Can you give me a link on where to find the plastic trays you used for the vents?
Super helpful, thanks

Markus9

Thanks James 007!

BryanF

Roof void must be Ventilated .. ventilation ventilation..

Seth Brundle

Markus9 wrote: »

I shouldn't have fire safety issues, I have an apartment

Do you have permission to be doing this job (assuming you don't own the building)?

Markus9

Well, I thought I bought an apartment but you are not the first one to say I don't own anything. After almost 5 years it's the first time I need to do something so I never looked into these things. At this point maybe I'll ask the management also when I have to go to the bathroom. I'll also ask them to pay the LPT.
Today I've read some of the documents I have and from that I understood that as an owner I'm a member of the management company. Not sure if that gives me the right to change the insulation.
Allow me to laugh if a permit is required to replace existing rockwool

Seth Brundle

Markus9 wrote: »

Well, I thought I bought an apartment but you are not the first one to say I don't own anything. After almost 5 years it's the first time I need to do something so I never looked into these things. At this point maybe I'll ask the management also when I have to go to the bathroom. I'll also ask them to pay the LPT.
Today I've read some of the documents I have and from that I understood that as an owner I'm a member of the management company. Not sure if that gives me the right to change the insulation.
Allow me to laugh if a permit is required to replace existing rockwool

Sounds like a critical response to a reasonable question. I'm sure many apartment owners have no legal entitlement to change the building without prior permission.
You may not be insured to be in the attic.
Anyhow, surely if the building is owned by the management company, why aren't they ensuring it is properly insulated or at least paying you for the material if you are buying it?

Markus9

sorry if I gave the impression to criticize you, I didn't mean to. I was just frustrated by knowing that I can't even do that. If replacing rockwool is changing the building you are right, but what makes me laugh is how that can be considered changing the building!
Btw the management company is more like a ghost, never present, I noticed their presence only when asking for the annual fees. The same is for my neighbours.
Finally, if I'm not entitled to change even my apartment interior it means I did a big mistake paying a lot of money for buying thin air.
Thanks for your help

Seth Brundle

I wasn't referring to changing the inside of your appartment, just insulating your attic.

Markus9

Gotcha!

robp

Markus9 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
I'm thinking to replace the insulation in my small attic, it's old and flat and doesn't really work anymore. There is also a plastic water tank that is not insulated as well as the pipes.
There are many things I wanted to ask because I've never done it and I don't really know from where to start.
- With what should I start? The pipes? The Tank? The insulation rolls?
- What do you suggest to use for the pipes?
- What do you suggest to use for the tank?
- When putting the rolls should I place them above or below the electric wires?
- Do I need to cover/protect the wires with something?
Any other suggestion and explanation is more than welcome of course
Thanks for your time, 
Markus

Look into removing cracks and holes in the attic floor that could cause draughts in the home below.