Last Updated on April 21, 2022 by Spray Foam Insulation Plus
When the insulation of your home starts to wear out, you might notice things such as a drafty house, an increase in utility bills, the uneven temperature in the house, and the presence of rodents, allergens, and mold in the attic and roofs. Insulation can last for 80 to 100 years under the right conditions.
However, insulation can start to degrade in as little as 15 years if moisture or rodents are present. If your insulation is damaged to the point that it no longer provides the insulating value once intended, you should replace the insulation with spray foam insulation. So how do you know if your home insulation needs to be replaced?
Factors That Can Weaken Your Insulation
- Your roof has water damage (e.g. leaks and blown-off shingles).
- There is mold growing on the insulation.
- The insulation has been punctured by a storm.
- The insulation is beginning to get dirty or dusty.
- Your home has endured a severe weather event or fire.
- Your home is a lot older than you think, and you suspect the previous owners may have used shoddy materials or got insulation installed improperly.
Signs That Your Home Insulation Needs to Be Replaced
Here are some ways to know if your home insulation needs to be replaced:
- The temperature in your house is uneven.
- Your whole house is drafty.
- Your energy bills are too high.
- Someone in your household is suffering from frequent allergies or illness.
- You notice frequent leaks and condensation.
- You notice moisture issues in your home.
- Notice a lot of rats, mice, raccoons, squirrels, insects, or other pests or rodents in your home.
- The insulation itself appears to be wet, thin, shifting, breaking down, or falling.
Mold Growth
If you see mold growing on the insulation material in your attic or surrounding surfaces, such as the roof, or around the ceiling plane, you’ll need to consider attic insulation removal and replacement.
Rodents in The Attic
Rodent infestation can be destructive. Usually, rodents love attics because they feel protected from the elements making them warm and dry, sheltered from predators, and have lots of great nesting materials in the form of stored belongings.
Dusty or Dirty Insulation
When you notice that your insulation is getting extremely dirty it means you need to get it replaced. You may not realize it, but the quality of the air in your attic can have a big impact on the air quality throughout your home and make the air dirty too. Over time, vented attic spaces can get covered with thick layers of dust and debris blown in from the outside. And this dust might create some dust allergies.
Leaky or Water-Damaged Roof
Everyone knows that a leaky roof can cause big problems to your home, and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. What you may not realize is that if you have a leaky roof, you’ll probably also need to change your attic insulation. This is because water penetrating your leaky roofing could affect the attic insulation underneath it. Wet attic insulation makes insulation work inefficiently. Wet insulation can also transfer moisture to the adjacent framing and building materials, potentially spreading mold growth.
Air leaks
If you find a leak in your roof, have the attic insulation in that area professionally inspected. If the leak has been occurring for some time without being caught, you’ll most likely need to replace the insulation.
For more information about our spray foam insulation services, feel free to contact Spray Foam Insulation Plus, the best insulation contractors in Minneapolis MN, today.
When to Get Your Attic Insulation Replaced
When to Get Your Attic Insulation Replaced
When to Get Your Attic Insulation Replaced
