Cate said:Good heavens, I just noticed my typo in the topic name...sorry about that! I mean, it does make me want to swear, but how embarrassing!
Rudyjr - where did you get your block off plate - a fireplace store or somewhere like Lowes? Is that something I can install myself?
Thanks RenovationGeorge - is there a special insulation I could use for insulating the brick chimney inside the attic? I don't have, and never have had, any melt spots on the roof, so at least that's a good sign.
RPK1 - I'll definitely get pictures, probably this weekend since it's dark when I get home.
FirefighterJake - Where is the knee wall? I had insulation blown into the walls before the siding went on and have R19 (or higher, I think) in the attic over top of the old insulation...is there somewhere I've missed?
Thanks again everyone, you are just wonderful. From what I'm gathering it sounds like I have a ventilation problem since the roof is lacking a ridge vent. I'll post picture soon...
On many Capes the second floor often has a sloped ceiling . . . a knee wall is a short wall (not the full height) . . . oftentimes the area is not accessible . . . or it may be used for storage. For example, in my home the front knee wall is about 4 feet high and is not accessible . . . this is where we ended up putting insulation. I found a few drawings on the internet to show you . . . we had little to no insulation on the floor in the knee wall area.