We've been in our home for nearly three years. Don't ask me how I've noticed this before but we actually get frost on a couple of areas of the downstairs walls. Also there is a lot of cold air moving around the bottom of the baseboards in the downstairs. Anyone know causes and solutions for these problems?

ballengerb1

Hey mom, sounds like little or no insulation in those walls, probably no vapor barrier either. Tell us about the interior of the home, drywall? How about the exterior of the house. aluminim siding or wood?

mom22

The interior walls are drywall and not done very well. You can see where all the seams were taped. The exterior is aluminum siding for the most part. Some wood on the front of the house but the back and sides (where we're having this problem) is siding.

ballengerb1

Sounds like we need to attack the problem from the inside. The fix is not difficult but it would make a mess. 2' holes need to be made at the top and bottom of each wall cavity between the studs. You can use a hole saw and save the plugs, we'll need then later. You can rent a insulation blower from stores selling blown in insulation. They will give you the detailed instruction but you need to blow the stuff down each cavity from the top. When you are done the plugs can be reinstalled by getting a 4" long strip of 3/8" plywood through the hole and laying flat on the back side of the drywall. A drywall screw above and below each hole will hold the plywood and then put you plug back in place with one screw, now level with compound. Of course this also means you'll need to paint unless you like the white cup sized splotches on the wall. Prime the walls with a ceiling paint called a paintible vapor barrier. Let me know if I went too fast.

mom22

Yikes! Sounds like you and I have different ideas about "not difficult" means.
Any idea you know how much all that would cost?
Can I just move instead?

glavine

I totally agree with ballengerb1 on this. This is the easiest way to accomplish what you need done.

I wouldnt change a thing, however our ideas of what easy for us and others will vary , just because this is what we do. Its definately something you want to prepare yourself for and know exactly what all the stages are before you dive right in. You can rent the tools a lowes and they can give you a demo of how to use it. as for the sheetrock stage of this. if youve never done it before..........your going to hate it , and swear to never do it again, and once you get done with that, youll need to sand it. there will be more hatefullness and swearing but youll get through it. patience is a virtue.........and sheetrock the first time will take it. good luck

KeepItSimpleStupid

bb: 2 foot holes are awfully big.

ballengerb1

KISS, you got me and now its too late fir me to edit. I meant a 2" hole. Hope mom didn't think I was talking about a 2 footer.

mom22

bb, can you tell me how much you would charge for this kind of project? i know it will be a rough estimate. thanks.

ballengerb1

I can't even begin to guess since I know nothing about labor costs in your area and availabliity of materials. Like any home repair job I'd get 3 estimates from folks in the yellow pages. I call the guys with the biggest adds since they likely have the most business. I think you once said you were from Bolingbrook, try Wall Fill in Wheaton, Il.