How to Add Insulation to an Old House

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Rent a blow in insulation machine and buy some bags of insulation.

   These can be rented from a local equipment rental company.
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   Step 2: Locate the studs and mark the center between them.

   Then cut a hole a bit bigger than the business end of the blower nozzle with a jab knife, which is the new name for a keyhole saw, but without the curved handle and made for cutting drywall (or use a holesaw made for a drill, but wear a dust mask). , Save the drywall piece/pieces that you cut out. , following the instruction on the blower. ,,,,, If it does stick out just ease it in with a hand screwdriver.
   
   It takes a light touch at the end so that you don't break the paper of the sheetrock. ,,,, Use 100 grit paper between coats if you want, using the same sandpaper over and over.
   
   By the time you get to the final coat it will be worn down enough that paint should cover any scratches. , Practice on a piece of cardboard putting a paint brush in your mud and flicking it on the cardboard.
   
   Add more water or mud as needed and try different stuff to fling mud to get sort of a match to your current wall texture. (You can also purchase 'texture in a can' with extra spray nozzles for varying textures from most home improvement stores). , Remember that once you paint, you probably will be OK with your blending. ,
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   Step 3: Make the center of the holes about 6" down from the ceiling.

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   Step 4: Blow in the insulation.

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   Step 5: Cut a piece of 1/2" plywood about 2" wide by 6" long.

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   Step 6: Put the plywood piece you just cut inside the hole you just cut

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   Step 7: and center it in the hole

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   Step 8: hold onto it so it doesn't drop down inside the studs.

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   Step 9: Use some 1 1/4" sheetrock screws (2 on each side) to secure the piece of wood in the middle of your hole.

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    Step 10: Attach the round piece of sheetrock that you cut out to the piece of plywood with sheetrock screws.

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    Step 11: Make sure all screws are tight enough so the heads are below the surface of the sheetrock.

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    Step 12: Use taping compound to mud over the screws and your patch

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    Step 13: press fairly hard.

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    Step 14: Allow the mud to dry.

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    Step 15: Scrape off any dried mud knobs sticking out with knife and recoat.

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    Step 16: Repeat the previous two steps at least 3 times.

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    Step 17: To match any texture that the wall might have

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    Step 18: put some drywall mud in a kitchen bowl and add some water to thin.

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    Step 19: Use a little bit of your texture on the wall

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    Step 20: to blend as best you can.

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    Step 21: Prime and paint

Detailed Guide

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