The attic is where most of the air circulating in your house goes. The attic also acts as a barrier between indoor and outdoor air. So this area of the home is naturally one of the most insulated. As such, when the spray foam insulation in Austin Texas gets damaged, it can disrupt the entire home’s airflow and quality. Many homeowners regularly deal with issues related to damaged attic insulation. So you are not alone in all this.
To fix a damaged attic, you need to first identify the source of the damage. In this article, we will discuss the three major reasons for damaged attic insulation and ways to fix them. So read on!
Importance of Attic Insulation
Attic insulation is a great way to keep your home comfortable, save money on heating and cooling bills, improve the air quality in the home, and make your home more energy efficient.
Attic insulation can help reduce the amount of heat that escapes from your home during cold weather and keeps warm air inside during the winter months. It also helps keep things cooler in summer by keeping out hot air from entering through cracks in the walls or windows.
Attic insulation can also help reduce mold growth in basements or crawl spaces where moisture gets trapped between layers of materials like vinyl siding or carpeting that are installed over plywood.
Finally, attic insulation can also benefit some other areas of the home. For instance, when your attic is properly insulated, the occurrence of ice dams during colder months is minimized. When ice dams form in large quantities, they can cause severe damage to the roofing system.
Types of Attic Insulation
When it comes to attic insulation, homeowners have many options to choose from. However, the most common type is fiberglass batts. This type of insulation is also known as cellulose, as it consists of cellulose fibers. It is most preferred because of its cost-effectiveness.
Blown-in insulation is another type used by homeowners. It is a type of insulation that is blown into walls, ceilings, crevices, and floors. It helps to keep the heat in your home by creating an air gap between the inside and outside of your home. This creates an airtight seal that prevents cold drafts from entering your home.
Other types of attic insulation include:
- Radiant barrier replacements
- Spray foam insulation
- Mineral wool insulation
- Denim insulation
- Rigid foam replacement barriers
- Blown-in cellulose insulation
Each of these insulation materials has its advantages as well as disadvantages. For instance, blown-in insulation and Spray foam insulation make it easy to insulate hard-to-reach, tight places in your attic. In the case where there is no budget to fix extensive issues, replacement insulation barriers are a huge help.
Hence you must ensure to understand the type of material that works for your space before you choose attic insulation. Better still, invite professionals to check the space and choose the right insulation material for you.
Common Causes Of A Damaged Attic
Pest Activities
Pests like rodents can chew through the fiberglass insulation to create holes in it, making it less effective at keeping heat inside your home. The damage may not be noticeable at first, but over time, the holes will get bigger.
In addition to the damage caused by rodents gnawing on your attic insulation, other issues can arise from their activities. Rodents may leave droppings in your attic and attic vents, which can cause mold growth inside your home.
While some may be easily detected, some rodents may take a while to be discovered.
The following are the types of pests you may find in your attic:
- Cluster flies
- Birds
- Arachnids
- Mice
- Bats
- Raccoons
- Squirrels
There are several ways to prevent pests from chewing on your insulation:
- Keep them out. Block them with alternative insulation materials like spray foam.
- Traps are another great way to catch pests before they get into your attic. You’ll need to place food items inside the trap so that rodents will take advantage of this opportunity and eat them.
- Have a professional extermination company come out to inspect your home for pests.
Uneven or Improper Attic Insulation
Another common cause of damaged attic insulation is uneven attic insulation, which occurs when the insulation is installed unevenly on the roof. When this happens, it can increase your energy bills and make the insulation less effective. Improper attic insulation can also lead to excess moisture in the attic. This can, in turn, cause damage to your roof’s interior and exterior. To avoid uneven or improper attic insulation, follow the instructions below:
- If you have more than one layer of different types of insulation installed, it’s important to ensure that each layer is installed evenly across the roof.
- Older roof insulation can promote mold growth and moisture damage; hence, ensure you check with professionals before you install new insulation on your roof.
- Ensure you ventilate your attic properly before installing new insulation. This will prevent condensation and leaks.
Compacted or Collapsed Insulation
The attic is a great place to store items that are not in use, such as old furniture and other items. However, it would be best if you never stored anything in the attic without having proper insulation. If your attic is not insulated properly, storing things there could lead to collapse.
With time, excess load on your attic will cause the attic to deteriorate and eventually collapse. As the attic deteriorates, its R-value, which is its ability to retain cold air during summer and heat during winter, also reduces.
Alternatively, you can store your heavy loads on a shelf or a solid floor.
Damaged insulation is an unnecessary expense you can avoid as a homeowner. You just need to maintain the insulation regularly and avoid any activities that could cause damage to it. An experienced insulation company installing your attic insulation can also lessen the need for major repairs down the road. You can find one here; https://www.stellrr.com/.
Name, Address, and Phone
Stellrr Insulation & Spray Foam,
401 Congress Ave,
#1540 Austin TX 78701,
5125200044
Follow Us On Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/stellrr