Dumb garage insulation question

[rockford33]

I haven't thoroughly investigated this yet, so bear with me. I seriously think that they may have not insulated the walls in my garage when the townhouse was built. Last year, I had to have the cable company come out because my digital signal was crappy. Turns out to be the splitter, which is behind the wall in the garage. Cable guy said I had to cut a hole in the wall so he could access all of the splitters and see what the problem was. So I cut an 6-inch wide by 8-inch long rectangle in my drywall. Found the splitters hanging there, don't see any insulation in the wall. I just pulled out the piece of drywall to take a look in the cavity. There are studs on either side of the hole (about 12 inches apart) that run floor to ceiling. No insulation in sight, up or down. Now, this is an interior wall, but I would think it would be insulated since you have a non heated space (garage) next to a heated space (entry hall). The garage is always cold, and is surrounded on three sides by building. Could it be that it was not insulated properly? I am going to try and check the ceiling also, since the living room above is usually not too warm either. Would they insulate around outlets, etc.? Could I pull off an outlet cover and look for insulation nearby to tell me if there is insulation? Thanks for the help guys.

 

[ZRWON]

Sounds most likely that your garage was NOT insulated. Ceiling might be if living space is over the garage...but who knows whether the builder was more interested in his reputation of the almighty BUCK.

 

[RedRacer74]

Building codes require all walls adjoining unheated space and all exterior walls to be insulated ( Typically R-11 mimimum , where I live its R-13 or more depending upon energy calculations ) . If there is living space above the garage the ceiling of the garage would have to be insulated ( R-19 minimum or more depending upon energy calculations)
Most states are adopting the National Building Code as their own as did New York State in January 2003 and many requirements have changed. WE have to use the Department of Energy's program to determine the insulation required known as RES Check formerly ME Check. By using the square footage of the walls, sq. ft. of glazing, sq ft. of doors, ceiling sq. ft. and floor sq. ft broken down by types and using what we would like to use for insulation the program determines if we comply or not.
The building codes also have requirements for slabs and slab insulation and footing depth and type depending upon your region. I hope this helps.

You can go to the local municipality and look at the approved plans. They will indicate the insulation that was REQUIRED to build your home. If this was not followed I would pursue further action against the builder. Look for an insulation inspection report also from the municipality and see what it says. Good luck

 

[OI812]

Building codes require all walls adjoining unheated space and all exterior walls to be insulated ( Typically R-11 mimimum , where I live its R-13 or more depending upon energy calculations ) . If there is living space above the garage the ceiling of the garage would have to be insulated ( R-19 minimum or more depending upon energy calculations)
Most states are adopting the National Building Code as their own as did New York State in January 2003 and many requirements have changed. WE have to use the Department of Energy's program to determine the insulation required known as RES Check formerly ME Check. By using the square footage of the walls, sq. ft. of glazing, sq ft. of doors, ceiling sq. ft. and floor sq. ft broken down by types and using what we would like to use for insulation the program determines if we comply or not.
The building codes also have requirements for slabs and slab insulation and footing depth and type depending upon your region. I hope this helps.

Yeah I would agree with that. Do you and did you have inspection at the time of the building? I would be on the phone with the local inspector and find out what codes in your area apply. Normaly your heating and cooling calculations are also based on insulated walls and ceilings.

If your not sure on the insulation you can take a small drill bit and drill some holes and stick a wire in past the drywall. As you put the wire into the cavity you should slowly start to feel more resistance. The resistance should be insulation. A lot of times as you pull the wire back out you will see strands of insulation stuck on the sharp edges of the wire, depending on the insulation type. Don't drill a 100 inspection hole either, just a couple.

Do you have a copy of the building contract? Look at it and see what the contract says they were suppose to do. After talking with the local building inspector, I would then contact the builder. If you feel you are getting non-comformance or compliance, then I would contact a lawyer. I think you know where I am going from here. Most builders have to assume a certain level of competence, and I don't believe it has been meet here.

 

[rockford33]

Unfortunately, the townhouse was built in 2000 and I bought it in 2003, so I did not do any building inspections. It does appear that there might be insulation in the ceiling, as they cut the hole for the outlet too big and I can barely see in it. I need to move my summer car out and get on a ladder to look in the gap to be sure. I do know that there is insulation along the back wall (staircase to upstairs on other side of wall). There is a little access panel to get to the sump pump and that area under the stairs is insulated. I was just surprised when I cut a hole for Comcast and saw no insulation in the one wall. I am going to check in a couple of other spots along that wall, as well as the wall between me and my neighbor's garage. I would think if I drilled a small 1/8" hole, some insulation should stick to the drill bit.

 

[Rex Ruby]

Insulate the outside walls and run a heat duct in there!