TOPIC: I Am Sick And Tired Of Hearing About The Code

On a recent pre-drywall inspection I noticed that the insulation surrounding the garage was nicely stapled to the studs, but in the rest of the house no staples were used.

In a blog two years ago I said that one problem I was seeing in new construction was un-stapled insulation.  Until the advent of thermal image cameras we did not know just how much insulation can slip inside walls.  It does!  And a  thermal camera reveals how much!  It must be stapled!

On my report I recommended that the insulation throughout the house be properly stapled to the studs.

The supervisor came back with his balk.  He said "while the inspector has [the client's] best interests at heart, the insulation was installed according to manufacturer specs."

The manufacturer specs comment is simply NOT TRUE!

There is no debate here.

Getting a follow-up question about that statement from the clients and Realtor, I sent them a dozen links.  Department of Energy, Energy Star (this is supposed to be an Energy Star house!), various state insulation installation requirements, and various insulation manufacturer and how-to websites.  They all say the same thing.  It ALL goes along this line, from a how-to website, as two of its various steps:

" #4 Stapling: the batt flange should be stapled to the face of the framing; flanges from adjacent cavities should overlap per manufacturer's specifications on facing.  #5 Each batt should be stapled approximately every eight inches, or according to manufacturer's specifications on facing. "

That is written for the non professional.  It is a "how to guide!"  Every manufacturer recommends stapling!  Some sites even recommend which stapler and staples to use!

The Department of Energy even says it is preferable to staple on the outside of the studs as stapling on the inside somewhat crushes the insulation, reducing its R-value.

This information crushed the supervisor's statement.

So then the supervisor fell back to the old stand by - "The code does not require that insulation be stapled."

I don't care if it does nor not!  And I frankly don't know what the code says about stapling insulation.

BUT, I AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THE CODE*.  WHAT ABOUT BEST PRACTICE!!

All this is NOTHING the insulation company does not already know.  Only about 2/3rds the time do I see insulation properly stapled.  But most installers do!  They want to do a good job.

My recommendation:  On a pre-drywall walk through, look for insulation staples, particularly on tall walls.  If you don't see them, demand that it be done.  Everyone with common sense (even the Department of Energy!!) says stapling is best practice!

* The Code is a minimum legal standard.  It is a floor from which to begin, not the ceiling of standards!  If I started a new company, "Jay's Sparkling Bottled Water," and my advertising line was, "We PROUDLY filter our water to the minimum legal standards required by law!" -- how would you feel about my water?  Come on over for a drink!

Quite frankly, I didn't know that paper backed insulation is still available.
I have seen insulation sagging.  Even though Roxul is heavier than fiberglass, it doesn't seem to slip down as much.  It is much stiffer and the friction fit actually works. 
Having the solid blocking (where required) at 4' centres helps as well.

That is pretty much all they use here Bert.  If they use cellulose, it is in the ceiling.

So is the builder going to go back and staple everything, the buyer walking, or the buyer ignoring the problem?

No know.  Nobody has gotten back to me.  They be negotiating...

Check chapter 1 on the code and it says that manufacturers instructions become code.

So you got both ways.