How to find attic air leaks and what to do with them

Air leaks and drafts may seem easy to find because the homeowner thinks they are easy to feel, but holes in the attic of your home are a bigger problem than you may expect simply because they are so difficult to locate.

One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is to locate and seal attic air leaks. Most people think of their ceilings as solid surfaces, but the truth is that your ceiling leaks air into the attic spaces through gaps and openings like:

• light fixtures
• vents and pipes
• ceiling fans
• chimneys and chimney flues
• even the attic access hatch

All of these leak conditioned air – warm or cool – into the attic where it does nothing to keep you and your family more comfortable. This leaking air is essentially wasted energy and wasted energy costs you money.

Gaps around these attic opening point are much easier to find with an infrared home inspection because you’ll have a definitive answer as to which areas in your attic are the most vulnerable.

What homeowners should do with attic leaks

Finding the air leaks is just half the battle – an important part – but only half of the story. Once you’ve found the leaks, you have to seal them. Sealing the leaks with a number of products listed below can have a great impact on your in-home comfort and in reducing your utility bills.

In addition to ensuring that your attic is adequately insulated, your second job is to find and plug any air leaks. Here are some handy suggestions for accomplishing that task:

1. Low-expansion polyurethane foam is great for plugging openings that are 1/4 to 3 inches in size. These are typically leaks around plumbing pipes and vents.
2. Caulk makes a great gap-filler for openings smaller than 1/4″ in size, such as those around electrical boxes.
3. Gaps around the chimney and flue should be covered with aluminum flashing and sealed into place with high-temperature silicone caulk. Be sure to keep the insulation away from the flue and create a barrier between the heated flue and anything  that may be flammable by wrapping flashing around the flue, but leaving a one inch space between.
4. Last, but not least, weatherstrip your attic access hatch so that it doesn’t draw heated or cooled air from your home into the attic.

Tips for working safely in your attic

• Wear a lightweight coverall to protect yourself from the itchy insulation and keep it off your clothing and skin.
• Wear a dust mask to keep yourself from breathing in too much dust and particulates.
• Use a headlamp to boost visibility, even if you have an attic light.
• Watch where you step so that you are carefully positioned on the ceiling joists and consider carrying a small plywood rectangle to kneel upon when necessary.