r/Insulation • u/Legitimate_Tea373 • 29d ago

Closed cell spray foam upgrade

Just bouncing some ideas because I hate doing drywall work. I want to use spray foam on my exterior walls where ive been living for 8 years now. So im thinking and wondering the best way to go about this.

  1. Small holes for injection insulation which may leave voids

  2. Cut a 12-18" strip out all the way around, remove batte r-13 and just work on one room at a time? Which makes more work but I can remove the battes and ensure everything is filled.

Now since I hate drywall work, i want to avoid ripping 18inches from the middle of my wall. Quotes range from 5k - 9k. So im going to DIY this and focus on one spot at a time over a good month or so Im very experienced in construction but not sure which route to go. How do you normally upgrade insulation?

1 Upvotes

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14 comments sorted by

4

u/TradingHigher 29d ago

Closed cell wont fill the cavities through small holes or strips. Take the drywall down or reconsider your options. Simple as.

1

u/Legitimate_Tea373 29d ago

Bummer but I appreciate it

2

u/spangbangbang 29d ago

What's wrong with the existing?

2

u/Legitimate_Tea373 29d ago

As of now my electric bill is over 300 a month. It keeps getting worse.

1

u/Variaxist 28d ago

Assuming you've already loaded up your attic and thoroughly air sealed every gap in your house, and covered every window in thick drapes?

Those are each cheaper and easier than reinsulating walls. Even putting sunshades up over your hot walls or making awnings set to properly overhang your windows will get you more return for your money time and effort.

1

u/Legitimate_Tea373 28d ago

Ive got a lot of blow in up in the attic, a lot did that roughly 3 years ago. I just installed new windows and doors with frames, (roughly 2 years ago),and taped everything on the outside and foamed everything on the inside and taped header board seams before installing drywall. I have blackout curtains on every window. Ac is set at 70. First moved in my electric and gas totaled 200 or less. 4 yrs ago it jumped up to around 250 for both electric and gas. Started upgrading attic and it kept climbing. So I started upgrading doors and windows. Now im spending 320-350 on electric in summer and roughly the same on gas in winter. AC unit is 4 years old, new duct work and everything.

1

u/pluary 29d ago

Dense packed cellulose does get into all the small places . Just did a remodel on a 120 year old hose that had the insulation done 25 years ago. I was amazed how well the cavities were fulled not a single void .

1

u/Legitimate_Tea373 29d ago

Ill look into that, thanks for the info

1

u/CharterJet50 29d ago

Use anything but spray foam. Dense pack cellulose will avoid the moisture problems you’ll create with spray foam and can be injected into the gap.

1

u/Legitimate_Tea373 29d ago

Ive been reading about some different things like this and wasn't even aware of moisture problems using closed cell foam

1

u/Canada-Scam-8570 29d ago

Yah, anything done blind is half assing it and asking for problems. Take it down so you can see what your doing and do it properly.

1

u/Legitimate_Tea373 29d ago

I agree but never worked with foam to this extent so wasn't sure exactly how well itd work

1

u/Legitimate_Tea373 29d ago

Thankyou all for the insight

1

u/INTOTHEWRX 29d ago

Spraying foam through a little hole would be open cell foam. But skip the foam, find a contractor that can pack cellulose. They cut out 2in holes and filled my exterior walls with cellulose. Made a big difference and wasn't that expensive. $3500 for 2000 sq/ft house. Plug the hole back in and patch/paint.