No access to "attic space" above living room in bungalow: how to insulate?

[caljane]

Hello,
We live in a bungalow with an attic accessed via a stira in the hallway. At the front of the house, the living room juts out about two foot beyond the rest of the house. A plumber working in the attic brought our attention to the fact that the "attic" doesn't extend as far as this jutting-out section of the living room. So, I suppose, it is just empty space without any access to it from our attic. As a result, it isn't insulated at all.

That section of the room has had some mould on it. I am now thinking the lack of inslation might be the reason? How could I go about insulating it?
Thanks!

 

[Micks'r]

Is the 'jutting-out section' roof pitched or flat?

 

[caljane]

Thanks for replying. It's pitched.

 

[Clamball]

Put a hole in the ceiling for access, insulate and close back up the hole? Our garage juts out to the side and there is an access square in the ceiling to get into the space. All that is up there is insulation.

 

[Micks'r]

Yes, the mould is most likely because the lack of insulation.
Your options to remedy this are:
1. As said above, access from inside by temporary opening and make good
2. If ceiling height allows, add insulated plasterboard with skim finish below current ceiling
3. Depending on the roof age and condition, access from outside and insulate as part of other substantial roof works.

 

[llgon]

A plumber working in the attic brought our attention to the fact that the "attic" doesn't extend as far as this jutting-out section of the living room.

What is blocking this section from the rest of the attic? Maybe it can be removed or partly removed for access.

 

[ClubMan]

Yes, the mould is most likely because the lack of insulation.

And/or lack of ventilation?

 

[Micks'r]

And/or lack of ventilation?

Yes perhaps but assuming there is no mould on the other insulated ceilings then adding the missing insulation should solve this mould issue. Improving ventilation efficiency is always a good idea in any case.

 

[caljane]

What is blocking this section from the rest of the attic? Maybe it can be removed or partly removed for access.

I wondered this. I'll have to check again. Plumber felt he couldn't easily access it in any case but I'm not sure what exactly is there. Thanks.

 

[caljane]

Yes perhaps but assuming there is no mould on the other insulated ceilings then adding the missing insulation should solve this mould issue. Improving ventilation efficiency is always a good idea in any case.

Thanks. There are some spots of mould elsewhere but I think they are explained by cold patches, e.g. near a draughty front door. This spot is the only place where it's been a recurring issue.

In terms of ventilation there are open vents and daily opened windows. We have a LOT of condensation and I heard about some sort of mechanical ventilation we might look into.

What's the best advice for attic insulation these days? Seems to be a big variety of opinions and costs..