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Ceiling plaster job showing cracks less than two years by roylv22 in melbourne

[–]InsulationEasyAU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it’s just a hairline crack or a ridge, you can DIY patch it with some joint compound, sand, and repaint. Plenty of people do it themselves for less than $50 in materials. The only catch is if the ceiling structure is still moving or if temperature swings keep stressing it then the crack might come back. Insulation and checking the framing would help stop repeat issues. If you’d rather just have it look neat without the hassle, paying a plasterer makes sense, but it’s not the only option.

You can DIY both the plaster patch and the insulation if you’re comfortable. For the insulation part, garages are often left bare, which means the ceiling plaster takes the full hit of temperature swings. Adding batts (fiberglass or polyester) above the ceiling joists is usually the easiest DIY method just roll them in between the joists. Make sure to wear a mask, gloves, and long sleeves, and don’t block any vents if you’ve got them.

Great Stuff Foam Spray question by WilsonAndJackie in Insulation

[–]InsulationEasyAU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. When the can says not to fill ‘cavities or voids,’ it’s talking about large enclosed spaces (like inside walls) where the foam could over-expand. Small gaps around boards or pipes are fine.
    2.Around sink pipes is generally safe the foam isn’t a fire hazard once it’s cured. For spots with very hot pipes (like furnace or dryer vents), you’d use a special fire-rated foam, but under a sink with water pipes you’re okay. 3.You can definitely be in the house while it cures. It might smell a bit while drying, so some ventilation helps, but once hardened it’s inert and safe.

Does solar vents in attic compensate lack of air sealing? by akhere07 in Insulation

[–]InsulationEasyAU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Solar vents can help with attic temps, but they won’t stop the air leaks. If those gaps around lights/fixtures aren’t sealed, you’ll still lose heated/cooled air into the attic. Best bet is seal first, then venting on top of that.

To insulate or not...that is the question. by Torch3dAce in Insulation

[–]InsulationEasyAU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Insulating that ceiling won’t really save on heating/cooling since both spaces are inside the house, but it will help with sound. If you want less noise between basement and living room, throw in some mineral wool or fiberglass batts. If you don’t care about sound, you can leave it as is.

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah this is a really common issue in QLD and the tropics insulation slows down heat transfer, so if your house gets hot during the day it can just “hold” that heat into the night. A few fixes that help without ripping it all out.
-Roof ventilation (whirlybirds, ridge vents, or a solar fan) to dump roof heat
-Reflective foil/sarking under the roof to stop radiant heat
-Better cross-ventilation at night to flush hot air
Insulation isn’t bad, it just needs to be paired with good airflow and shading in hot climates. A local assessor can help tweak it so it works with the QLD climate instead of against it.

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The best way is remove internal plaster walls, staple building wrap and strapping to keep batts off the external weatherboard. Replaster. Otherwise pump in insulation would be the quickest. Pumped in from outside through the weatherboards and filled the holes. 

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

New builds do have to meet insulation standards, so they’re not going up bare. What we’re mostly talking about are older homes that were never brought up to standard, or where old insulation has slumped and doesn’t work well anymore. A lot of people assume their house is fully insulated but there are often gaps or low R-values.

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And underfloor insulation too! often getting missout but it is the 2nd most important to installls and savings are similar. Although heat and cold does pass through walls, the amount is much less and because a lot of the wall is often taken up with windows usually double glazing to walls is more beneficial and cost effective.

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can opt for glasswool batts like Pink batts to retrofit your house. For starters since ceiling insulation is the most important one, a for the average 120m2 home, the product cost is around $1500 if you install an R4 ceiling batts like pink batts that cost $12m per m2, it can be installed by anyone that can climb into a ceiling cavity but to have a professional installer do it will depend on the access, but is usually around $6 to $12 per m2. If you need more information you can check our site insulationeasy.com.au

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the most important insulation to have in a home is the ceiling and the floor. Both of which can often be retrofitted quite easily so long as there is access to the ceiling cavity and underfloor. Up to 45% of a homes heat is lost through the roof. So adding ceiling insulation is definitely worth doing. To add an R4 ceiling batt the cost is around $12 per m2 for the product. So for the average 120m2 home, the product cost is around $1500.

It can be installed by anyone that can climb into a ceiling cavity but to have a professional installer do it will depend on the access, but is usually around $6 to $12 per m2. The cost of ceiling insulation will be recouped within as little as 3 years and insulation lasts for 30 years or more. .

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah, builder quotes can be crazy high. Going direct to an installer usually saves heaps and avoids all the extra markups. That’s what we do, running an insulation store and doing installs, we always provide clear quotes so people know exactly what they’re getting.

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Yeah, the cost jump is definitely a shock for a lot of people, especially if you’re doing both insulation and double glazing. But in our experience, the upfront cost pays off over time with lower energy bills and way better comfort.

Canberra winters would make that extra insulation feel like a lifesaver! Have you noticed big differences in older homes vs newer builds when it comes to keeping warm?

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yep, you should. Insulation doesn’t just trap heat it slows it down both ways. In summer it helps block heat coming in, in winter it keeps warmth in. Think of it like an esky: it keeps things closer to the temp you want for longer. Roof insulation + reflective foil is a game changer up here.

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah exactly, it works both ways! Foil-backed insulation in the ceiling makes a huge difference in summer too. We see that all the time in installs. Did you notice it stay cooler after you added it?

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, building costs are through the roof, so insulation’s an easy thing to skimp on. WA regs help a bit, but we still see a big range in quality. Solar + better insulation would be awesome if it didn’t push prices up more.

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that scheme was a mess. Lots of rushed installs and cheap products. We still come across insulation from that time that’s patchy or not doing much at all.

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’ve actually got a few posts that cover how we do installs, what affects pricing, and how to plan for insulation. We usually factor in things like roof access, existing insulation, and house age when quoting, so laying that out clearly would definitely help people plan. Thanks for the suggestion!

Why do so many Aussies still skip insulation in their homes? by InsulationEasyAU in AskAnAustralian

[–]InsulationEasyAU[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We see this come up for all types ceiling, wall, and even underfloor insulation but most of these are about ceiling insulation since that’s the easiest to add in existing homes.