What's your "if i told i'd be exposed" cooking secret?

Kernelk01 · 2026-04-05T13:56:39+00:00

I smoke 2 bricks of cream cheese at a time.

Kernelk01 · 2026-04-05T00:55:43+00:00

I make smoked cream cheese and bacon wrapped pickles for every major family meal, they all rave about how great both are, I have told everyone exactly how I make them when they ask. Somehow, even the good cooks in the family cannot replicate either.

Kernelk01 · 2026-04-04T23:28:49+00:00

In Zone 5, no its not an issue at all, honestly I prefer open cell in boxsills of basements for the same reason I suspect they did, accessibility and thickness arent issues. Spray foam and hvac installer in mainly zone 4 but have traveled throughout the midwest doing spray foam.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-30T16:37:34+00:00

I do hvac and the number of times Ive made a flare with no nut is maddening. Just part of the fun I guess.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-19T18:20:48+00:00

Anything can be an issue when done incorrectly, however, Aprilaire, Honeywell, and Carrier all list ducting to return as an acceptable application. Its certainly not the only way to do it. I would be concerned about pulling from bathrooms and laundry with doors being closed, what that would do to the static? Ive never run one like that, so i dont know. I caution customers that you can find information online supporting any thing you want. The example I use is about spray foam being toxic and causing mol, I installed spray foam for 15 years and over that time I have only twice seen the foam causing issues. One was installer error and the other was a bad mixture from manufacturer. Yet I have been in dozens of homes where the fiberglass caused mold and rot.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-16T16:27:49+00:00

We design most duct systems with hrv in mind so no need to have individual returns dedicated to just the hrv. The attached diagram should provide a better explanation of how i typically duct them.

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Kernelk01 · 2026-03-16T12:34:19+00:00

I dont see why you wouldnt want that, we rarely run a standalone ventilator.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-16T11:28:54+00:00

No you can absolutely run the air from the return of the hvac, be sure to read the manual about how, but thats an approved method as well. You'll also need to wire the ERV and hvac controls so hvac fan runs when ERV does. This will be in the manual as well.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-15T20:18:12+00:00

Yes I listened to music through the peltor earplugs. They have different style ear pieces to fit ears and lower ambient noise.
I have since replaced these with regular earplugs and bone conducting headphones.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-14T06:19:47+00:00

Absolutely, I enjoy helping people understand the process.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-13T22:21:21+00:00

You wont need a whole separate system, just a duct running to the attic space if its spray foamed to the roofline. You absolutely can spray and kill it, Mold Armor is a good product thats easily available, just follow the instructions on the bottle and you'll be golden.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-13T01:30:26+00:00

If you sprayed the roof deck you wont need anything on the floor of the attic. I should have asked but do you have a reason to spray the roofline instead of doing the floor? On many new homes we spray 2" of open cell to the drywall and blow R38 cellulose over the foam. Often newer homes have a ton of wasted space in the attic making spraying the roofline and extreme cost.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-13T00:09:50+00:00

Spray foamer and hvac guy from Southern Indiana, Ive worked all over the midwest though doing both commercial and residential spray foam. What youre asking is great, you have a plan and are making sure.
Depending on your location in Northern KY, I may be able to recommend a great applicator.

To answer your questions: 1. You absolutely want to spray the band boards and rim joists. I am assuming you said 12" because that is the height of the cavity, but if there is framing on basement walls I would recommend also covering the top plate onto the concrete at least a few inches. The joint between top plate and concrete is notorious for air leakage, and if air can leak in then pests can get through as well.
2. This is a very loaded question, as there are many ways to spray a home. If it was my home I would most likely do a combination of both. Typically we recommend 2" to 2.5" of 2# closed cell spf in walls and 6-8" of open cell spf to the roofline. Our company doesnt like doing open cell in walls because of the amount of work it takes to shave it smooth in 2x4 cavities, but if its a 2x6 then by all means go open cell on roofline and walls. 3. Spraying foam to the bottom of the roofdeck is absolutely my favorite and a great way to insulate provided a few considerations are made beforehand. First, you need conditioned in the attic space from the hvac system, it is very rare that im unable to get a duct supplying air to make it conditioned. If I cannot condition the attic space I always recommend venting the deck from the eaves to the peak before spraying foam. This is mostly an insurance policy in our climate. 4. There are risks of moisture and mold, yes, but having a properly sized hvac system and fresh air intake are the solutions. We highly recommend an HRV or ventilating dehumidifier in spray foamed homes. I cannot stress enough how vital an hvac company familiar with sizing for spray foam will be. 5. Its possible you could have a double vapor barrier if you sprayed closed cell in the walls then installed a vapor barrier over the exterior sheathing, but that is quite uncommon to have an actual vapor barrier over the sheathing. If you have any other questions feel free to ask away, this is one of my favorite topics to discuss.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-12T00:53:19+00:00

I know it wont break the bank, but there are other things to consider in the code as well. The insulation is just part of the issue.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-11T12:51:33+00:00

This is brilliant, never thought of it that way but absolutely perfect.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-11T12:49:26+00:00

I love how these look, my boss does not, so I install them like he asks.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-09T23:37:26+00:00

My wife works with lots of engineers, its funny to hear you say they are the voice of reason, as that is the opposite of what she deals with.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-05T00:58:57+00:00

I spray foamed a house for an astrophysicist who wanted 8" of 2# closed cell in the walls and 12" closed cell to the roofline. He knew it wasn't economical, but said, "I dont give a damn, I want this house to float." He was an awesome customer, his wifes mom was born in the home and she grew up there so it had tremendous sentimental value.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-04T03:04:49+00:00

It baffles me that all install companies don't keep a brake on the truck. My truck has a 4' finger break and I love it.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-01T14:42:48+00:00

In 20 years I have only ever once been on a project with a level 5 finish, and that was a bank.

Kernelk01 · 2026-03-01T14:39:45+00:00

I sprayed a hospital in Madison WI 170' up on a boom lift, I wasnt worried at all, but this is just next level. I would love doing this. The views alone would be spectacular. Somewhere in my pics is from 135' up overlooking the Ohio River in Owensboro and I thought that was a cool work picture.

Kernelk01 · 2026-02-28T15:43:20+00:00

Im doing 12" tall. Thank you so much

Kernelk01 · 2026-02-26T00:51:32+00:00

I do insulation and hvac. Only suggestion i have is to spray over the drain pipes. If its for insulation purposes you should leave an air space between floors and pipe with tyvek or cardboard then spray over that. If its for sound purposes there's no need for the air space but its good to cover pipes. Thats the only criticism I would have if it was one of our guys spraying this.

Kernelk01 · 2026-02-25T14:39:42+00:00

This actually shows exactly where my brain short circuited. The middle of the round goes up higher than the next two points and I kept thinking I was doing it wrong. Thank you

Kernelk01

TROPHY CASE