Winter Time - repost of old joke

[racerboy (imported)]

The fact that -40 is the same on both scales can save memory work on conversion:

* Add 40 [to get number of degrees above -40],

* multiply by 5/9 [C to F] or 9/5 [F to C], then

* subtract 40 [to get back to C or F from degrees above -40].

The only thing you have to worry about is what to multiply by -- otherwise the formula is the same.

[Losethem (imported)]

Winter is also the best time to run the self-cleaning feature of you modern stove/oven, too. Warms the place right up!

I know what you mean about insulation. I just had a room remodeled here, and there was 0 insulation in the walls, with the exception of what they called "insulation board" from the 1940's. That problem is fixed, with the 2 layers of wood paneling removed, and moisture coated 3/4" drywall put in.

My friends used their self-cleaning feature on their modern oven. It didn't end well... Fire Department called, gas turned off, and told never to use that thing again because that is one of the most routine calls the fire station gets. Fortunately they didn't lose their home, but it smelled delightful for weeks.

Insulation is wonderful. Amazing how much even R-13 or R-15 (used on what we call 2x4 framed walls here in the USA) will make a difference. I put in R-13 when I should have put in R-15. The building inspector gave it to me though stating, "It's a heck of a lot better than the R-0 you had in the wall before it, and what I suspect is the same in the rest of the house..."

I also re-insulated the downstairs bathroom, and the new owner has insulated the floors. The only part of the downstairs of that house left to insulate is about 10 feet of wall in a bedroom, and the living room. After that it should be nice and toasty down there. Upstairs... that's another story. Of course, as I don't own it any longer, I'm not concerned about it.

But fair warning to anyone living someplace it gets below freezing routinely in the winter, make sure that old charming house you like because of it's character has had the interior walls torn off and proper insulation put in. If not, I hope you like being cold!

[Paolo]

I've run into just that.

The house I have has no insulation in the two west bedrooms. Well, the remodeled one does now. The other one is probably going to have to have a substantial portion of the west wall around the 1940's window replaced. It doesn't look good. The first room only had insulation board behind 2 layers of paneling, then the studs, the outer walls, a layer of asphalt shingle siding, and the aluminum siding. When the wind would get up, you could feel it coming through the walls and in around the windows.

[Losethem (imported)]

I've run into just that.

The house I have has no insulation in the two west bedrooms. Well, the remodeled one does now. The other one is probably going to have to have a substantial portion of the west wall around the 1940's window replaced. It doesn't look good. The first room only had insulation board behind 2 layers of paneling, then the studs, the outer walls, a layer of asphalt shingle siding, and the aluminum siding. When the wind would get up, you could feel it coming through the walls and in around the windows.

Frankly, it's not all that difficult to do the insulation, the problem becomes the other things that you have to do. New drywall, rewiring since you're in the wall already, new plumbing if it's in there as well. Nothing that's rocket science, but takes time and money to do. People usually don't have both of those luxuries at the same time.

[WheelyCurious]

There are also quite a few less invasive options involving liquid foam, and I've even seen one outfit at a home show that claims to be able to do blown-in cellulose like you'd use in an attic... Never tried either personally, so no 'lived experience' and I've heard mixed results from others... Seems to depend a lot on the people doing the job... However most seem to have pretty good luck w/ the foam in walls that have no pre-existing insulation so you are just filling a void. it is more problematic if trying to upgrade a skimpy existing layer.

However on the right wall it's pretty low invasive, the just drill a few holes into each stud space, and shoot it in...

WheelyCurious

[kristoff]

There are also quite a few less invasive options involving liquid foam, and I've even seen one outfit at a home show that claims to be able to do blown-in cellulose like you'd use in an attic... Never tried either personally, so no 'lived experience' and I've heard mixed results from others... Seems to depend a lot on the people doing the job... However most seem to have pretty good luck w/ the foam in walls that have no pre-existing insulation so you are just filling a void. it is more problematic if trying to upgrade a skimpy existing layer.

However on the right wall it's pretty low invasive, the just drill a few holes into each stud space, and shoot it in...

WheelyCurious

As someone who has rehabbed or helped on many houses, I can assure you that blown in cellulose is some worthless shit. The foam crap that is sprayed into wall cavities through holes drilled in the outside walls, turns to dust after a number of years and provides no R value, and if the wall is opened up inside, the dust is a choking hazard.

There are a few much better ways to deal with insulation. Get to know your product and the methods for using them.

[Paolo]

For me, it's throwing money at an old friend in the business and telling him to fix it, with the reminder that the little woman might have him living HERE some day! hehe

[Arab Nights (imported)]

There are a few much better ways to deal with insulation. Get to know your product and the methods for using them.

Why am I getting an itch?

[fhunter]

Why am I getting an itch?

Because you are not wearing protection .

[Losethem (imported)]

There are also quite a few less invasive options involving liquid foam, and I've even seen one outfit at a home show that claims to be able to do blown-in cellulose like you'd use in an attic...

WheelyCurious

Both are phenomenally horrible ideas. You'll save money on the insulation job doing it that way, but a few years later you'll regret it when you have to spend money on:

1. Ripping it all out, drywall/plaster and all.

2. Taking out all the rotten wood from the lack of installation of a VAPOR BARRIER when the el-cheapo insulation project was done.

3. Disposing of all that trash and debris.

4. Installing the NEW exterior walls you have to put in because of the wood rot caused by the lack of a VAPOR BARRIER.

5. Doing the insulation the right way, inside those new walls including the VAPOR BARRIER which was missing causing all the rot to form in the old walls.

6. Did I mention installing a VAPOR BARRIER?

7. Installing the drywall over the new VAPOR BARRIER.

8. Replacing all the cabinets, trim, etc. you had to rip out when this disaster struck because you tried to save money.

I wonder WHAT the cause of the coming problem from installing blown-in or foam insulation in existing walls will be?