Attic Masonry Chimney Wrap and Insulation in Toms River, NJ
Challenge
We're inspecting the chimney in the attic of a homeowner's residence in Toms River, NJ. Building codes mandate that no combustible materials, such as wood framing and insulation, should be within 2 inches of a masonry chimney. This chimney runs from the basement or crawl space up to the attic, creating air gaps that allow conditioned air to escape into the attic. This inefficiency increases the homeowner's energy bills and perpetuates discomfort.
Solution
To insulate this attic, we first need to air seal it using ZypFoam sealant. Next, the space between the wood framing and masonry will be flashed with metal and sealed airtight with high-temperature fire caulk. Retaining walls will be constructed around the chimney, ensuring they are more than 2 inches away from the masonry to maintain proper clearance. Once the chimney is properly sealed, we can install TruSoft cellulose insulation to an optimal R-value of R-60 around the chimney's retaining walls. With these steps, the attic will be up to code, effectively insulated, and the chimney will no longer leak conditioned air into the attic. These improvements will lower energy bills and increase the home's comfort.
