Insulation helps ensure that heated indoor air doesn’t escape during winter and keeps your house cooler in summer, keeping the temperature consistent throughout. If your insulation has begun showing signs of wear and tear, it may be time to replace insulation.
Glass fiber insulation typically lasts 80-100 years before becoming ineffective and leading to problems such as increased energy bills, moisture damage, and pest infestation.
Insulation Age
Insulation lifespans depend heavily on what kind of insulation is present and its use. For instance, using fiberglass in your attic typically lasts 80-100 years under ideal conditions; this number may decrease due to poor maintenance or water leakage issues within the house.
Existing insulation that has become damaged from age, pest infestation, or water damage must be replaced immediately; otherwise, it will no longer provide enough insulation to regulate temperature and air quality in your home.
However, if your current attic insulation is dry and free from dirt or dust, it may be wiser to leave it in place rather than take it down. This will save on removal costs as well as reduce the time required to dispose of old insulation.
Moisture Damage
If your attic insulation has become compromised with moisture, replacing it may be necessary to protect the health and well-being of both yourself and your family. Mold or mildew spores could present serious threats that require replacement as soon as possible.
Insulation that has become damp or wet must be immediately replaced as moisture can compromise its integrity and diminish performance. Wet insulation cannot perform as effectively as dry insulation does.
Moisture problems can arise due to many different sources, including leaky roofs, plumbing fixtures, and condensation. Insulation also becomes saturated with water from leaky roofs if an attic ventilation system is inadequately functioning.
Dirt, tears, or discoloration in attic insulation and animal droppings are also indicators that it may be time for replacement, as these indicate rodents or other pests have been nesting or chewing away at it, decreasing its effectiveness.
Professional insulation contractors should be hired to safely remove and install new insulation without spreading contaminants through your home.
Pest Infestation
Attics offer cozy nesting places and provide easy entry points into homes for wild animals such as mice, rats, and squirrels to gain entry. Once inside they can chew through wires and walls while also spreading diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus. You know you have an attic mouse infestation if there are rice-size droppings, little piles of food, and scurrying noises coming from within it.
Rats and other wild animals can damage personal items you store in your attic as well as the insulation, wiring, and plumbing that runs throughout it, leading to costly structural damage in your home and increasing energy bills. Therefore, professional attic insulation installation services should be employed in order to remove and replace old insulation materials with those designed to deter intruders from entering. Furthermore, air leakage must also be sealed to help lower energy bills; sealing may require full attic insulation installation services as well.
Building Code Updates
Insulation helps your home retain heat during winter and keep hot air out during summer, as well as block sounds from outside sources from entering – keeping your family comfortable and private within their own space.
If your energy bills continue to skyrocket and your home doesn’t feel quite right, adding or replacing insulation may be just what’s needed to feel more at ease. Wet or sagging insulation must be addressed immediately so it doesn’t lead to further problems in the form of higher costs or health hazards.
Spray foam insulation is an ideal way to upgrade the insulation in your home and create a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly space, creating an air seal between rooms that keeps warmth inside while simultaneously decreasing energy bills and adding value. Not only can this type of insulation be retrofitted into existing structures but can even be added onto newly built ones!