Comments on: 7 Reasons to Gut Your Bathroom When You Remodel

By: David Butler

David Butler — Tue, 24 May 2016 22:37:22 +0000

@Kevin, presumably you have
@Kevin, presumably you have uninsulated metal ducts?

Metal ducts will condense in most climates unless they’re fully contained within conditioned space. Even then, metal ducts can sweat if airflow is low or restricted (causing supply air to be colder) or if indoor humidity is too high (often due to excess infiltration, inadequate spot ventilation, and/or oversized A/C).

Ducts located in semi-conditioned crawls or attics should always be insulated, since humidity can be higher there than in living space.

You only need a minimal layer of foil-face duct insulation (e.g., R-4) on supply ducts to stop the sweating. However, all metal components — including supply boots, fittings and plenum — must be insulated. And most importantly, the outer jacket, which acts as a vapor barrier, must be carefully sealed at all seams and ends, typically with foil tape.

By: Sean Wiens

Sean Wiens — Tue, 24 May 2016 18:50:11 +0000

Great article Allison. One
Great article Allison. One caution - drywall tape and filler from that vintage may also (often) contain asbestos, not just the popcorn ceilings.

By: Kevin Muldowney

Kevin Muldowney — Tue, 24 May 2016 18:33:38 +0000

Do you have any tips on
Do you have any tips on insulating ductwork after installing closed cell foam installation in crawlspace. Insulated ducts keep dripping condensation when air conditioning is turned on. Thanks, Kevin Muldowney

By: Lloyd Alter

Lloyd Alter — Wed, 18 May 2016 01:24:55 +0000

Dan Geist nailed it, when we
Dan Geist nailed it, when we renovated our bathroom in a house built in 1913 the various changes and renovations over the century meant that there was almost nothing left of the framing underneath, had to completely rebuild and resupport the floor. I was amazed that I had not fallen through into the kitchen below.

By: David Butler

David Butler — Wed, 18 May 2016 01:16:44 +0000

> spent razor blades behind
> spent razor blades behind the wall... I recall the medicine cabinet in the house I grew up in had one of those slots... those blades can be murder for the mice :-)

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Wed, 18 May 2016 00:01:52 +0000

In reply to Colin. I fully expected my bathtub
I fully expected my bathtub to have no insulation behind the short side that was against the exterior wall. I was wrong. The insulation in that wall did go all the way down. Well, I was sort of wrong. The grade 3 R-7 batts that were in there probably didn't help a whole lot.

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 17 May 2016 23:56:08 +0000

Every bathroom I ever looked
Every bathroom I ever looked at has had the tub up against an uninsulated wall cavity. Keeping the tub water warm was impossible. Sealing off the wall, insulating then installing tub always got rave reviews.

Next, install the bathroom fan remote from the bathroom ceiling using insulated duct. Put a light on the switch because it will be so quiet you won’t hear it. Duct leaks will no longer allow moisture to enter your attic. Buy a backward curved impeller – one of the German ones that will last for 25 years.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 17 May 2016 23:07:58 +0000

In reply to Kris. Well, now that you mention it
Well, now that you mention it, Kris, I did find two razor blades in there. A contractor who's done a lot of work in this community said he's seen some units with a big pile of them. And I've seen some of those medicine cabinets with the razor blade slit in other homes.

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 17 May 2016 23:04:47 +0000

At least you didn't find any
At least you didn't find any spent razor blades behind the wall of the medicine cabinet. IIRC back in the day it wasn't uncommon to just cut a slit in the cabinet and drop back behind the wall.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 17 May 2016 22:38:02 +0000

In reply to Steve Waclo. Great idea to cover the tub,
Great idea to cover the tub, Steve. If I had planned on keeping it, I would have been more careful with it. Instead, we're replacing it with a walk-in shower.