My first post, so please be gentle! I had a look back through a lot of similar posts to this but they didn't really address my questions.
The loft in my new house (a 1920's mid-terrace) is in a bit of a state. Nothing major, just needs a good clearing out and bringing up to standard with regards to insulation. There is some useless looking insulation already down (can't be more than an inch thick!) and the central 1/3 is boarded over it.
1. If I put the recommended 270mm on top of the boards, will there be a problem with the boards being between 2 layers of insulation? Condensation etc? I'd like to leave the boards where they are so I can access the far end of the loft safely even if I'm walking on top of the insulation. Springing leaks aside, I only expect to be in the loft to retrieve Christmas deccies and the like once in a blue moon.
2. I understand that you shouldn't put insulation directly on top of cables. The cables do go over a couple of the joists (and old insulation), so is it acceptable to just 'box off' those areas with short counter battens (and chipboard over the top)? Should I remove the old insulation from underneath the cables first (otherwise the cable would be between two layers - old and new)?
3. What is the best way to insulate the cold water and CH header tanks? They and the pipework are completely uncovered and I suspect the only reason they haven't frozen up before now is the general rubbishness of the loft insulation. Can I just cover the tanks over with that foil thermawrap stuff and lag the pipes?
Sorry for the length of this post, any advice would be appreciated before I make a pigs ear out of it
Thanks
The loft in my new house (a 1920's mid-terrace) is in a bit of a state. Nothing major, just needs a good clearing out and bringing up to standard with regards to insulation. There is some useless looking insulation already down (can't be more than an inch thick!) and the central 1/3 is boarded over it.
1. If I put the recommended 270mm on top of the boards, will there be a problem with the boards being between 2 layers of insulation? Condensation etc? I'd like to leave the boards where they are so I can access the far end of the loft safely even if I'm walking on top of the insulation. Springing leaks aside, I only expect to be in the loft to retrieve Christmas deccies and the like once in a blue moon.
2. I understand that you shouldn't put insulation directly on top of cables. The cables do go over a couple of the joists (and old insulation), so is it acceptable to just 'box off' those areas with short counter battens (and chipboard over the top)? Should I remove the old insulation from underneath the cables first (otherwise the cable would be between two layers - old and new)?
3. What is the best way to insulate the cold water and CH header tanks? They and the pipework are completely uncovered and I suspect the only reason they haven't frozen up before now is the general rubbishness of the loft insulation. Can I just cover the tanks over with that foil thermawrap stuff and lag the pipes?
Sorry for the length of this post, any advice would be appreciated before I make a pigs ear out of it
Thanks
