Insulating the cellar; removing squirrels from the attic
Q. I am insulating my cellar. How should I do that? I also have bare steel heating ducts. Should they be insulated? Can I use regular 3 1/2-inch insulation?
JOE, Saugus
A. Insulate just the ceiling, and you will make a goodly difference in your fuel bill this winter. Use 6-inch fiberglass with a paper (vapor barrier) backing, and install it with the paper up, touching the ceiling above. Or, cut Styrofoam or High-R Sheathing to fit between the joists. It's a little tricky to do, but it can solve the problem of dealing with any pipes or wires in the spaces between joists. Four inches of Styrofoam will give an R factor of 20. Three inches of High R Sheathing will give an R factor of 21. This is enough on a basement ceiling. Cut the slabs so they are snug but not so tight that they bend when you try to put them in.
And insulate those heating ducts, both hot and cold. Regular insulation will work, but it is too thick to handle properly. It's better to use 1- or 2-inch-thick duct insulation. Fold the vinyl backing into a standing seam, then staple it on itself. It will stay tight and will make a difference in your fuel bill.
Q. In my newly occupied house in Tewksbury, I hear the pitter patter of feet. What is the best way to get rid of squirrels without calling pest control?
ROB AHEARN, Tewksbury
A. First, inspect the house to see if you can find any place the critters got in. Such openings, sometimes showing evidence of gnawing on the wood to make the hole bigger, could be around gable vents, and under the eaves (the under part of the roof overhang), along the fascia (where the gutters usually go), a corner (because squirrels can gnaw more easily on a corner), a loose clapboard. You should find at least one hole because that is how the varmints got into the attic.
Squirrels are diurnal, meaning they go out to play during the day. When the critters leave the house plug the hole. Use a piece of sheet steel or hardware cloth ( 1/2-inch steel mesh). You may have to replace any wood that is unsound because the critters will eat through it.
Peter Hotton also appears in the Sunday Homes Section. He's available 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions on house repair. Call 617-929-2930. He also chats online from 2-3 p.m. Thursdays: Go to www.boston.com. His e-mail is photton@globe.com. 