For most homeowners, insulation isn’t something that you
think about very often. As a result, it is easy to assume that your home is
well insulated — unless you know how to spot the signs of wear and tear.
Unfortunately, not knowing these signs can be costly in
the short and long run. So, it’s worth your while to learn the signs that your
home insulation needs replacing. Keep reading to learn 6 that every homeowner
should know, and why it’s so important to replace your home’s old or damaged
insulation.
Why is it Important to
Replace Your Home’s Insulation?
Taking
your home insulation for granted can have costly consequences. Besides having a
chilly, drafty home, your energy bills will also increase as your heating and
air conditioning work overtime to make up for the conditioned air that’s
leaking out through your poorly insulated walls.
Poor
insulation can also put your health at risk by potentially exposing you to
mold, pathogens, and allergens. Plus, water can penetrate weak insulation and
make your home vulnerable to dry rot, metal corrosion, and other damage. This
is even more common in older homes.
Troubleshooting Your Home’s
Insulation
You
can avoid the ill effects of poor insulation by learning how to spot key
indicators that your insulation needs to be replaced. Here are 6 you should be
aware of, regardless of the type of insulation you have within the walls of
your home.
1, Persistent Allergy Symptoms
If you or members of your
household experience chronic allergy symptoms, the culprit could be mold
forming around your insulation. Mold
spores can become airborne and
perpetually contaminate the air in your home.
Sometimes, mold can be
difficult to detect in homes with attics, basements, and attached garages. It’s
also difficult to link your allergy symptoms to bad insulation unless you
recently moved into a new home and your allergy symptoms began around the same
time. But, hiring insulation professionals to use spray foam to air seal your
home will help prevent any potential allergens from forming and releasing in
the air.
2. An Inescapable Stench
One of the most telling signs of
poor insulation is the terrible, musty smell in certain areas of your home.
Regardless of how thoroughly you clean the space, that moldy scent remains.
It’s a good indication of the presence of rodents, mold, or dry rot.
Most of the time, the root cause of
the stench is your home’s wet insulation. Fiberglass is a perfect example of a
moisture-absorbing material that can become a host for mold. A leaky roof or
ground moisture from a snowstorm can saturate this kind of insulation to form
mold, resulting in stinky living quarters and hazardous breathing
conditions.
3. An Abrupt Rise in Utility Bills
Your utility bills can be
accurate indicators that your insulation needs replacing, especially if they
are much higher than in previous years. When poor insulation allows the
conditioned air to escape your home, your HVAC has to work much harder to
control the temperature range in your home. Spray foam insulation can solve
this problem by sealing in conditioned air.
4. Water Damage
You can usually spot a room with leaks by
checking for wet flooring and dark spots on the ceiling panels. When you find
leaks, you will most likely find mold. Poor insulation is a common cause of
water leaks in the home. So, replacing your home’s insulation with waterproof foam
is the best way to combat this type of damage.
Also, good insulation can prevent other types
of water damage as well. For example, frigid temperatures in the winter can
cause poorly insulated water pipes to burst, resulting in possible significant
damage to your home and your wallet.
5. Uneven Temperatures Throughout
Your Home
If some of the
rooms in your home are drafty and others are warm, this is a sign of inadequate
insulation. This condition causes your HVAC to use more power to regulate the
temperature, resulting in higher utility bills. Instead of focusing on one
area, it is best to replace the insulation in the entire house to ward off
future problems.
6. Rodents and Other Household Vermin
Rats and insects can
easily tear through old insulation and make a thoroughfare into your home. So,
if you see a proliferation of rodents and other pests, it’s a safe bet they
chewed through old insulation, especially the fiberglass variety.
Also, old
insulation can be a food source for rodents and insects. This fact may
encourage infestations. On the other hand, installing foam insulation blocks
any entryways for these vermin, and the foam is inedible for animals and
insects.
Choosing the Right Company
to Install Your New Insulation
Since
homes come in various styles and layouts, you want to choose an insulation
company with many spray foam insulation options. Look for a company that offers
open-end, closed-end, and hybrid spray installations. Plus, you should make
sure the certified installation professionals have a solid construction
background, ensuring they know exactly how to handle your type of home.
When
you deal with an established company like Superior
Insulation,
you’ll find they use the latest technology and tools to analyze and pinpoint
poor performance issues in your home. Regardless of the company you choose,
they should offer:
- Free in-home evaluation, consultation, and estimate
- Lifetime warranty
- Certified technicians
Key Takeaways About Replacing Your Home’s Insulation
Overlooking the signs of low-performing home
insulation can cost you money, full use of your home, and good health. The best
way to truly determine whether you have shoddy home insulation is to contact an
installation professional. However, if you decide to do some preliminary
checks, wear protective clothing to avoid exposure to mold and allergens.
