The Problem:
The homeowner contacted Zavza Seal after discovering problems in the attic and ceiling assembly.
The attic was approximately 720 square feet and had no insulation after the ceiling construction was completed. This left the home without the insulation needed to help control indoor temperatures and reduce energy loss.
Access to the attic was also difficult. The only access was through a second-floor bathroom skylight. To reach the attic with our insulation equipment, our team needed to create an access opening in the sheetrock around the skylight.
During the inspection, our Senior Estimator and Project Manager also found a separate structural concern.
An electrician had cut notches and bored holes into several ceiling joists. These cuts reduced the strength of the wood members. Three joist spans also showed clear signs of wood rot and required structural reinforcement.
There was another small insulation issue in the ceiling. An electrician had cut a hole through the ceiling, which caused approximately one bag of cellulose insulation to fall onto the floor. The homeowner planned to repair the ceiling opening.
Our Solution:
Zavza Seal addressed both the insulation problem and the damaged ceiling joists.
Dense-Packed Cellulose Attic Insulation
Our team first created a 24-by-24-inch access opening in the sheetrock near the skylight. This allowed us to bring the insulation hose into the attic.
We then installed dense-packed cellulose insulation throughout the approximately 720-square-foot attic area.
The insulation was installed to achieve an R-value of 48. This helps slow heat transfer between the home and the attic, which can make it easier to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
The cellulose insulation used for the project is environmentally friendly and has a Class 1 fire rating. It also provides sound absorption and helps reduce outside noise.
After the insulation work was completed, our crew patched, taped and applied compound to the access openings.
Sanding and painting were not included in the main scope of work. These services were available as optional work after the compound had dried.
Repairing the Damaged Ceiling Joists
The structural inspection found three damaged joist spans that required reinforcement.
Our team provided structural support to the affected areas and installed galvanized reinforced plates to strengthen the wooden joists.
The goal was to restore additional strength to the damaged members and improve the structural integrity of the ceiling assembly.
The repair was planned around the existing conditions, including the areas where the joists had previously been cut or bored.
Repairing the Small Attic Insulation Gap
Our team also addressed the area above the ceiling opening where insulation had fallen.
After the homeowner repaired the ceiling hole, one of our crew members entered the attic and added cellulose insulation to the affected area. This helped prevent the repaired section from becoming an uninsulated spot in the ceiling.
The Result:
The Astoria homeowner’s attic was upgraded with dense-packed cellulose insulation designed to achieve an R-value of 48.
The project also addressed three damaged ceiling joist spans with structural reinforcement.
By completing the insulation and structural work together, Zavza Seal helped improve the home’s energy efficiency while also addressing concerns with the existing ceiling assembly.
The difficult attic access through the bathroom skylight required careful planning, but our crew was able to bring the necessary equipment into the attic and complete the insulation work.
Project Takeaway
This project shows why an attic inspection should look at more than insulation.
The homeowner initially needed attic insulation, but the inspection also identified damaged and deteriorated ceiling joists. Addressing both conditions gave the project a more complete solution.
For homeowners dealing with missing attic insulation, damaged ceiling joists or difficult attic access, a professional inspection can help identify problems before they become more expensive to address.
Zavza Seal LLC provides insulation, structural repair, waterproofing and other home improvement services throughout Astoria and the surrounding New York area.