It's time to stop energy loss
The Waupaca Railroad Depot building was built in 1907 by the Wisconsin Central Railway. After decades of service and a period of disuse, it was acquired by the Waupaca Historical Society and restoration efforts have been underway ever since.
Accurate-Airtight Exteriors offered to audit some of the Waupaca Historical Society buildings, including the Waupaca Railroad Depot. We determined that the Railroad Depot building was in need of an attic air barrier, which Accurate-Airtight Exteriors performed as a service to our community.
Keep reading to learn how we approached this service for the Waupaca Railroad Depot, and to understand what could go into an air barrier service for your home or commercial property.
When we started the project, people speaking in the main room of the building could be clearly heard from the attic, demonstrating the extremely poor condition of the existing barrier.
We worked alongside the Waupaca Historical Society to air seal all the interior walls of the Waupaca Railroad Depot building. We started in the attic, pulling away fiberglass insulation to seal the areas underneath. We then installed rigid foam board in the wall cavities and then used spray foam insulation to fill any gaps and make an effective air barrier.
Finally, we sealed wiring and plumbing gaps and examined the three chimneys that go through the attic. No air leaks were found around them— a testament to the quality of their original construction.
When starting an air barrier project, we always take care to perform a thorough inspection of the work area. We look for drafty areas, obvious signs of wear and tear, and other sources of exposure to outside air. Along the way, we repair any cracks, gaps, and holes because this is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the comfort and efficiency of any building.
Accurate-Airtight Exteriors plans to provide and install weather-stripping for a Waupaca Railroad Depot basement door. Our recommendation for this project was to follow up on the attic air barrier by blowing cellulose insulation over the existing fiberglass attic insulation to achieve a high insulation level of R50.
It was truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to help maintain a historical landmark in our community. We are proud that the Waupaca Railroad Depot will live on, hopefully for many generations to come!
I wanted to thank you for the air testing and thermography testing you recently completed for us at the US Armed Forces Reserve Center at the Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA. Both yourself and your onsite staff were very considerate of our needs working in and around a project that was still under construction, while at the same time completing your work very efficiently and timely.