5 Signs Your Old Insulation Needs to Be Replaced
Do you feel that your energy bills are rapidly increasing? Perhaps your house feels warmer than normal. What about the air conditioning system in your home? Is it regulating air across your home effectively? If it’s not, then those could be signs that your old insulation needs to be replaced.
How Regularly Should I Replace Insulation?
Which insulation do you have in your home? Some insulation types are specially designed to last for years. Even then, you’ll need to keep an eye on it so that you can identify any loopholes early enough. One thing you should keep in mind is that you sometimes you may have to add more insulation to your existing one or replace it altogether.
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Some insulation types such as foam insulation will probably settle after one year and you’ll need to replace it to ensure it’s fluffy and can insulate your home appropriately. If you’ve bought a new home and discover that the insulation has never been replaced since the house was built, then that’s enough indication that the insulation should be replaced.
As the world evolves, insulation manufacturers are now producing enhanced products to retain more cold and heat in a bid to save energy. In order to prolong the life of your insulation, you need to be on the lookout for the following signs.
The Top 5 Signs You Need to Replace Old Insulation
Proof of Moisture in the Insulation
Do you suspect moisture is in your insulation? If the answer is yes, then you’ll need to replace it immediately because there are no other proven methods of correcting moisture damage. While you can do it yourself, the best way to replace your insulation is to call in an expert. This is because they are experienced when it comes to replacing insulation and understand how to comprehensively check the surrounding area for signs of water damage.
One thing you should understand is that inspecting your attic after winter is over helps you identify any signs of damage and a professional will be the right person to carry out the inspection. Whatever you do. Ensure that the moisture level in your attic space is well regulated because excess moisture can cause mildew and mold and in worse conditions attract pests such as ants and termites.
Proof of Aging
If your insulation is stained, then that’s a sign of old insulation that needs immediate replacement. Sometimes it’ll be falling off especially from the outer walls. Have you seen any holes, cracks, or gaps along with the insulation along with the vents and windows? If you have, then you need to should be shopping for new insulation.
At least have an expert inspect your insulation and allow them to recommend the best solution depending on the magnitude of damage. If your home is older, perhaps it’s insulation isn’t as effective as the more advanced and modern ones. If you are wondering which these old insulation materials are, they include; sawdust and shredded paper. These weren’t effective even in the yesteryears. Perhaps homeowners used them for lack of better material.
Proof of Animal Damage
Have you heard an unusual commotion up in your house especially during the night? Perhaps you’ve seen your insulation appearing as though it has a nest or has been chewed. If this is the case, then animals have invaded your attic.
Remember, animals such as bats, mice, raccoons, and squirrels are fond of invading the attic. If you didn’t know, then these animals can easily destroy your insulation. What’s more, their waste contains bacteria. Of course, you don’t want a bacterial infested house.
When Your Current Insulation Becomes Ineffective
Do you suspect that your home is not maintaining a balanced temperature both cold and hot? If the answer is yes, then this could indicate inadequate insulation or holes in your attic. If your expert finds out that this is the case, then you’ll need to install vapor barriers to regulate humidity and have your windows and vents air sealed to control the temperature in your home.
Proof of Hazardous Materials
If you live in an old home, you may need to know that such homes can possess hazardous materials which may cause severe health complications to you and other people living in the home. For instance, asbestos and urea-formaldehyde were popular insulation materials used in ancient homes.
If you don’t yet know, these materials have been associated with a huge percentage of health complications such as cancer. If you’re alarmed by this revelation, the next thing you want to do is establish the material used to insulate your home. For a more enhanced evaluation, call in an expert who will recommend the next cause of action.
In such a situation, the best way to ensure that your health and that of your loved ones isn’t compromised is by changing the insulation. Don’t remove it on your own. Instead, have it removed by a qualified and experienced professional. If you’re wondering why you can’t do it yourself it’s because a professional understands what it takes to remove all types of insulation.
What’s more, they have all the safety equipment to protect themselves while on duty and also ensure that the material doesn’t circulate across your home hence jeopardizing your health even further. If you’re anxious to determine asbestos and urea-formaldehyde before the expert arrives, check for the following signs; asbestos is more common in vermiculite insulation while urea-formaldehyde comes in a yellow and gray color and is often fragile.
Finally
Old insulation can be the cause of major problems to you and your loved ones and therefore, understanding how to recognize it is critical. Remember, as much as replacing or even removing your old insulation may be seen as an easy task, it’s best executed by a professional. Discuss your needs with a reputable insulation replacement professional for a more efficient job.