How to Tell if Your Old Home Insulation Needs Replacing
As a typical consumer, you probably don’t think about insulation until there’s a problem. And by then, it may be too late! Insulation is one of those things that you really don’t notice until its effects on your home already are quite drastic. If your insulation is old and in need of replacement, you could be losing money on your energy bills every month.
In this blog post, we will explore different scenarios that tell your insulation needs replacing and what you must do regarding the matter.
Purpose of home insulation
Insulation is important for two main reasons: to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation works by trapping air inside your home and creating a barrier between that of the inside and the outside atmosphere. This barrier helps to keep heat from escaping in the winter and cool air from entering in the summer.
However, over time, insulation can break down and lose its effectiveness. If your insulation is more than 20 years old, it may be time to replace it. But what are the factors that can push your insulating system to its edge?
Factors that contribute to shortening insulation lifespan
No matter what sort of insulation you have in your home, and no matter how long a guarantee it comes with, no insulation is flawless or indestructible.
Any of the following factors can significantly reduce the life of your insulation, making replacement more likely:
- Water damage on your roof.
- Your home has been through a calamity caused by severe weather or fire.
- Aged home and the current insulation utilized low-quality materials or is improperly installed.
- Molds and mildew invasion
- Visible damage to the insulation
- Dust and dirt accumulate in your insulation compartment.
These factors can take a toll on how your insulation system functions down the road. With these, come the signs that will tell you your insulation needs replacing already. If you are currently in London, you can consult vendors like Smart Home Installer London for different home automation purposes, and to engage in such, it’s only reasonable for you to use appropriate materials and let the pros take over.
The iFoam spray foam insulation contractor can shoulder the installation of the best bang for the buck method, the polyurethane spray insulation. They can also venture with you through maintenance and repairs, so give them a call today!
Without further ado, let us move on to symptoms that tell your insulation already needs upgrading:
1: The insulation compartment is already visible
If you can see the insulation in your walls or ceilings, it means that it’s no longer doing its job. Insulation should be hidden from view.
2: A spike-up in your energy and utility expenses
If you’ve noticed a sudden spike in your energy bills, insulation may be to blame. insulation helps to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, so if it’s not doing its job, your HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This can lead to higher energy bills.
3: Moisture settlement
If you find dampness on your insulation compartment, it’s a grave indication that your insulation needs replacing since there are no other proven methods for dealing with moisture damage. While you may do it yourself, hiring an expert is the best way to fix your insulation.
When it comes to replacing insulation, they are veterans and know how to thoroughly inspect the environment for indications of water damage.
4: Drafty living space
If you can feel drafts in your home, it means that there are gaps in your insulation. These gaps can allow heat to escape in the winter and cool air to enter in the summer, making your home less comfortable and costing you money.
5: Aged insulation
If your insulation is discolored, it’s likely due to old insulation that needs replacement. It may come off, particularly from the walls outside. Have you noticed any holes, cracks, or gaps in the insulation along with the vents and windows? If you have, it’s proof that your insulation needs replacing immediately.
6: Animal intrusion
Have you noticed an uncommon commotion in your walls, particularly during the night? Perhaps your insulation has a nest or has been chewed. If this is the case, animals have entered within it.
Remember, bats, mice, raccoons, and squirrels are notorious attic intruders. If you didn’t know, these animals can easily damage your insulation.
7: Noticeable drop in performance
Do you notice that your property isn’t maintaining a balanced temperature in both cold and hot areas? Is it having a hard time adjusting the temperature of your living space? If the response is yes, this might suggest insufficient insulation or attic holes.
If your expert discovers that this is the case, you’ll need to install vapor barriers and have your windows and vents air sealed to control the temperature in your home.
8: Potential hazardous compounds in possession
If your home has already aged, it’s important to understand that such structures may contain hazardous materials that can cause major health issues to you and your family. Asbestos and urea-formaldehyde were two popular insulating materials utilized in ancient houses, both of which have links to cancer. Therefore, it’s best to assume your insulation needs replacing already!
9: Prevalence of respiratory health issues
One or more individuals in your family is having recurring allergies or sickness. (Mold, allergens, and germs can thrive in aged, damaged, or incorrect insulation.)
The next best thing to do…
If you find out that your insulation already needs replacement, the best thing to do is to contact the right professionals such as our guys in iFoam. They will be able to assess your insulation and determine if it needs to be replaced. In most cases, insulation can be easily replaced and will make a big difference in the comfort of your home and the amount you’re spending on energy bills.
Don’t wait until it’s too late – if you think your insulation needs replacing ASAP, go do your research, devise a plan, and get a move on!
