How to insulate this corner

info2x · 02-07-2013, 10:14 PM

I was cleaning my office last night when I looked up and noticed some water staining in the corner. My first thought was "Oh crap". I got a chair out and felt around and nothing seemed wet although the area that was stained was much cooler than the surrounding drywall.

Tonight I went up into the attic to see what's up and I couldn't really see into that corner too well but nothing looked like it had been wet. I'm hoping that there is no insulation/vapor barrier at this point and there is condensation there that is causing the staining and cold spot. Assuming that's the case what is the best way to insulate that area?

Since the area is very cramped I'm thinking sizing a section of foam board (if it will fit) and some spray foam would be the best option, but if that doesn't work what would be a good option? I suppose I could move some loose fill into that area but what about a vapor barrier.

I'll have to go up there again at some point to get a better look but with it being so cold out and determining that there doesn't seem to be a massive leak I high tailed it out of there.

joecaption · 02-07-2013, 10:39 PM

Is that vented soffits I see?
If so there's not suppost to be any insulation there.

info2x · 02-07-2013, 10:52 PM

The soffit is vented but it's beyond what can be seen in the picture. I felt the air moving around me while I was crammed in there. Ideally I would have taken the pictures when it was light out so one could see the vents aren't clogged.

**Gary in WA** · 02-09-2013, 10:33 PM

I'd get an extension mirror and light, is that damp f.g. insulation a shade darker in color on the other side of the hip rafters?

What is the two-tone colored furry thing at the bottom center of the attic picture, a tail? And... a possum face next to it, is it going #1 there, wetting the ceiling? OR a grey squirrel?

Gary

info2x · 02-10-2013, 01:27 AM

You are exactly right Gary I need to get a better look into that corner with a mirror and a better light source. I couldn't tell that anything was damp when I was up there but given the location of that part of the roof, and the temps I wasn't willing to go back in since my first post.

It seems to be just a tail, no idea where the rest of it went, all of my eves/vents appear to be intact. Not going to lie it scarred the crap out of me because I didn't see that it was only a tail at first and I was in no position to high tail it out of there except for through the ceiling.