DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
You nailed it about venting not being the magic fix. I’ve ripped out plenty of old batt insulation where the real issue was gaps and air leaks, not lack of airflow. If you can seal up those penetrations—think around light fixtures, pipes, and top plates—then add a proper vapor barrier, you’ll notice a huge difference. Over-venting just pulls in more problems sometimes, especially in humid climates. It’s all about getting that envelope tight first, then balancing the rest.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
Over-venting just pulls in more problems sometimes, especially in humid climates. It’s all about getting that envelope tight first, then balancing the rest.
I’m with you on sealing up the gaps being a bigger deal than most folks realize. Years back, I spent a whole weekend sweating in my attic, convinced more venting would finally solve my moisture and mold issues. Didn’t make much of a dent. What actually helped was tracking down every little air leak—around the bathroom fan, wiring holes, even the chimney chase. It’s amazing how much air sneaks through spots you’d never think to check.
That said, I’m a bit skeptical about vapor barriers being a silver bullet. In some older homes (mine included), adding a new vapor barrier can trap moisture if there’s already some in the insulation or wood. I had a section where I put one in and ended up with condensation between the layers, which just made the itchiness worse and brought back that musty smell. Maybe it’s just my bad luck or the age of my place, but I’ve learned to be cautious there.
One thing I wish I’d done differently: wear better protection when handling that old pink stuff. Even with long sleeves, I was scratching for days... and somehow it always finds a way down your collar. Next time, I’m taping my cuffs and neckline.
Bottom line, tightening up the envelope made more difference than any amount of venting or insulation upgrades. Still, I’d say there’s no one-size-fits-all fix—depends a lot on the age of the house and what’s lurking behind those joists.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
You nailed it about vapor barriers being tricky in older homes. I’ve seen more than a few jobs where folks tried to “fix” things with a new barrier and just ended up with soggy insulation and a bigger headache. Sometimes less is more, especially if you’re not sure what’s already in the walls or attic. Out of curiosity, did you ever try using any of those newer spray foam products for air sealing? I’ve had mixed results—sometimes they’re a game changer, other times they just make a mess.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
Spray foam’s a bit of a double-edged sword in my experience. Here’s my take after a couple attic projects:
- Closed cell foam is fantastic for air sealing, but it’s unforgiving. Mess up the prep or miss a gap, and you get weird cold spots or trapped moisture.
- Open cell is easier to work with, but honestly, it can soak up water if there’s any leak you didn’t catch. Not ideal in an old house where surprises lurk behind every rafter.
- It’s tempting to just blast foam everywhere, but I’ve found targeted use—like around plumbing penetrations and electrical boxes—works best. Less mess, less chance of blocking needed ventilation.
- One thing I learned the hard way: don’t spray over knob-and-tube wiring or questionable old junction boxes. Had to pay an electrician to undo that mistake...
If you’re dealing with the classic pink fiberglass, I’d say focus on air sealing with caulk and weatherstripping first. Then add foam where it really counts. The stuff’s pricey and not always worth the headaches if you go overboard.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
Interesting take, but I’m not totally sold on the “just caulk and weatherstrip first” approach. Air sealing is huge, no doubt, but if you’re already up there dealing with fiberglass (which is a pain), why not consider dense-pack cellulose? It’s got better air sealing properties than fiberglass, plus it’s made from recycled stuff. Less itch and fewer chemical worries compared to spray foam, too. Just seems like a cleaner, greener fix in a lot of cases.
