Common Issues with Insulation and How to Avoid Them

Insulating your house has plenty of benefits – it helps regulate the temperature, reduces utility bills, and makes every room more comfortable. Quality insulation is also long-lasting, with most types of insulation being able to stay effective for decades and sometimes even more.

Insulation isn’t permanent, though, and homeowners need to replace it at some point. It doesn’t really have a set “expiration date” per se; instead, it’s helpful for you to be able to recognize some of the most common signs of insulation starting to falter. If you encounter any of these signs in your home, it might be time for an upgrade.

In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most common issues that occur whenever your insulation starts failing and you need to replace it.

Wear and Tear

Father time makes no exceptions, insulation included. As time passes, your insulation will start degrading, meaning that it’s going to be less effective in protecting your home from outside air and temperatures.

Small and persistent issues are one of the main reasons for homeowners to decide to upgrade their insulation - a steady increase in energy and utility bills is something that many of us will get tired of quickly.

It’s essential for you to check the insulation in your attic, basement, and ductwork to determine whether your home’s insulation is starting to get worn out.

Mineral wool and spray foam insulations have a high water resistance, which is ideal for preventing water damage to your insulation.

Moldy Insulation

One of the main issues that can occur from your insulation gets wet is mold. Mold can grow anywhere where there’s water damage, including your home’s walls, roof, basement, and more. There’s also the possibility of spores spreading throughout your home via a poorly insulated HVAC system.

Mold also devalues your home and is a health hazard, especially for people with allergies. If your home has any mold, you should get in touch with a professional who can remove it, and only after should you replace the damaged insulation.

Excess Insulation

There is such a thing as too much insulation; having too much insulation can negatively impact your home’s energy efficiency. Adding too much insulation is expensive, unsustainable, and can increase the risk of mold growth within your home.

Tell-tale signs of excess insulation are similar to what you experience whenever you have failing insulation in your home – high electric bills, drafts, and uneven temperatures in your home’s rooms.

Fixing this issue requires you to identify the problem area, remove the insulation, and install a new one with the right amount of quality materials.

Another common mistake that homeowners make is installing new insulation (like spray foam) over older, worn-out insulation. Combining new and old insulation won't resolve any of your home's issues, and the newer insulation will be less effective.

This is a problem that can be easily avoided by hiring a professional.

Rodent Damage

If your home has fiberglass insulation, you might experience some issues with rodents. Due to this insulation being soft and warm, small animals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and others love to take shelter in your home’s insulation.

Old homes are at a higher risk as their exteriors might have gaps or cracks.

Solutions

If you encounter any signs of your insulation being damaged, you should not ignore them. Your budget, comfort, and health could be at risk if any issues with your insulation aren’t quickly addressed.

YourHomeFix is a company that can get you in touch with the best insulation professionals in your area in no time. They will first come to your home for a free inspection; if your house needs any repairs, they will present you with a comprehensive plan. Finally, they will remove your old insulation and install the new one.