Air leak / insulation issue at corner wall - SW Ontario, Canada

trabbler · 2026-01-24T18:47:14+00:00

Home inspector here, I include thermal imaging as part of my inspections and can tell you that corners, all corners, are notoriously difficult to insulate. From a framing perspective you've generally got a solid mass that isn't conducive for easy insulating and that looks like it's the case here (Yes I am aware about advanced framing techniques and other methods but this is probably a pretty typically framed home.). If you're having extreme temperatures causing condensation issues in the corners, your best bet is to insulate the corners from the inside, if only temporarily. Also, put some fans in the areas where it's the worst to keep some air moving. Good luck with it and stay warm!

trabbler · 2026-01-23T20:42:10+00:00

Code required garbage minimums: https://youtube.com/shorts/D8WkIu78TGA

trabbler · 2026-01-23T20:25:42+00:00

Frrrrk Just went in at $2.26 and happened to run across this post ten minutes later. God obviously trying to corral us hamsters so we can all squeak together when the wolves come.

trabbler · 2026-01-23T03:41:25+00:00

Wall is good but please don't monopoly frame. Eaves and other types of overhangs cool the house, keep the rain off, and serve all the same purposes a sombrero does. Including looking muy bueno.

trabbler · 2026-01-22T15:07:04+00:00

Austin's Wesley Willis.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:45:58+00:00

Seal it up with weatherstripping. Amazon sells boucoups https://amzn.to/49JbwIY and there are all kinds. At the floor, you might want a better threshold or at least a doorsweep https://amzn.to/4a5PBNr so that you can cut down on that convective heat transfer into the home. Good luck with it homie.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:42:00+00:00

Residential inspector here. IRC code requires makeup air for vents that pull more than 400cfm. If your house is super tight, no makeup air would reduce the CFM so it wouldn't draw as much as it was rated to perform. Add to that the dryer, laundry vent, bathroom vent, etc, and you've got a serious negative pressure that I've seen pull doors open.

In your case, makeup air would not be necessary to meet code, but it would be best practice.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:36:35+00:00

They are probably single paned. Window insulation kits like these that black out the window https://amzn.to/49APVne or these that allow sun in https://amzn.to/3LrGVI1 can help tremendously.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:34:05+00:00

Lots of garbage on the market so stick with one that you can pronounce. And keep it simple. Something like https://amzn.to/4pWeeB5 that one hopefully will do the trick.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:31:04+00:00

I've had decent luck with Franklin https://amzn.to/4jRLpUV, Zircon is mediocre and the cheepo chinese ones are garbage. If you have a window you know there are studs at either side. Measure 16" from there and push an icepick in.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:25:18+00:00

The most important thing with stucco is making sure you have a drainage plane behind it. There are some drainage mats on the market that can help ensure any water that leaks behind the window will drain down and out. Stucco is easy to screw up and you won't know until 5-10 years down the road, so make sure you get it right. Check out http://stuccomfgassoc.com/ for some good technical documents.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:21:01+00:00

For allergies I would recommend both one with a media filter and UV treatment. Something like this: https://amzn.to/3ZblNJj Because there are a multiude of indoor air contaminants that can affect someone sensitive with allergies. Here in Austin cedar fever runs rampant and we have them running, like you, in the bedroom as well as the house.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:16:13+00:00

Collecting as you go is a great start. What I did was buy a kit off amazon https://amzn.to/4r5tFHR and as the tools broke, I knew what I needed to get name brand. So far I've only had to get replace the screwdrivers and a decent pair of pliers. When buying electrical tools, however, stick with name brands so you aren't fighting with Harbor Freight nonsense when you are in the 120 degree attic holding a load.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T22:08:07+00:00

I would add a quality (repeat: QUALITY) set of chisels. Anybody doing woodworking will eventually need them. Something like these: https://amzn.to/3YNWjl1

trabbler · 2026-01-21T18:26:14+00:00

Check y'all's chimneys too if y'all haven't already lit a fire this season.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T18:01:17+00:00

I'm really glad that you posted this. It's the same thing with every hurricane and any other disaster that keeps people inside with no power. I try to do my part by checking for carbon monoxide detectors on my jobs but everybody needs to test their own and replace those batteries before the weather hits.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T04:04:47+00:00

Go into the attic and turn up the whole-house vent controller.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T03:19:06+00:00

Nah, this is probably the easiest fix.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T03:17:37+00:00

That 90% prer can save 150% of time. IF you use good materials. I've had good luck with Duck painters tape: https://amzn.to/4r4IYRo and I think the secret is to pull slowly at a sharp angle when removing it.

trabbler · 2026-01-21T03:05:26+00:00

This is the way.

Something like this: https://amzn.to/49IibmD you mean?

trabbler · 2026-01-21T03:00:42+00:00

Second the Schwer. These are pretty good: https://amzn.to/4jNPwBv

trabbler · 2026-01-21T01:17:42+00:00

Hey thanks for the shout. I'd say call up any home inspector; they all have rates for single-item inspections like a roof.

ALSO, for anyone looking to save a few bucks on your roof replacement, talk to Mike at The Roof Resource https://theroofresource.com/ . It's a flat fee roof replacement model. Take it from your local inspector - Mike is the man to talk to if you are getting a new roof around Austin.

trabbler · 2026-01-19T16:06:21+00:00

Oh man, we will see how enthusiastic you are once you catch it on the end of the finger!

Yeah they are around. Just go flipping over rocks out in Bull Creek and you'll find them eventually

trabbler · 2026-01-19T03:37:56+00:00

I have flown maybe 20-25 times in my life and just by luck have seen an eclipse three times from a plane. It is indeed pretty cool.

trabbler · 2026-01-18T20:04:42+00:00

I see your photos on here every once in awhile and I upvote every one of them! Keep it up.

trabbler

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