Your insulation is a vital part of your home’s protection system and is the main factor that helps regulate the temperature within your house. Without it, it would be almost impossible to keep the temperatures at comfortable levels throughout the various seasons.
It doesn’t matter what kind of insulation you have in your home or the type of guarantee it has on it – over time, your insulation is going to lose its reliability and need to be replaced.
What are the signs that you need to get your insulation replaced? As an expert in the insulation industry, we have gathered together some simple indicators that let homeowners know their insulation is ready for replacement.
Things That Can Compromise Your Insulation Lifespan
There are several factors that can greatly reduce your insulation’s ability to properly insulate your home and may indicate that you need to consider replacing it in the near future.
Your roof has been harmed by water
This can occur from leaks in a roof or areas that are now exposed to the outside elements from shingles being blown off.
The insulation has mold developing on it
It is possible for mold to grow on your insulation without realizing it and it can come when the insulation is exposed to moisture for a prolonged period of time.
The insulation has holes in it
Insulation can become punctured by a variety of things including animals, extreme weather like storms, or even when the insulation was moved before it was installed.
The insulation is dirty
After years of use, insulation can get a build-up of dirt or dust that makes it less effective.
Your home experienced an extreme event such as a fire or weather
Anytime your home’s exterior is damaged and outside elements can get access to the inside of your home you should inspect all parts of your home for damage including the insulation.
Your home is older or you doubt the construction quality
Older homes can mean that the insulation that was used in the construction may either be past its lifespan or not up to current energy standards. This can also be the case for homes that may have been built using cheap materials.
Your insulation is either batt insulation or loose-fill insulation
These types of insulation have their own issues. Batt insulation will begin falling out after about 15 to 20 years of use. Loose fill insulation has the issue of settling over time which can lead to air leaks.
Signs Your Insulation Needs Replaced
Even if you can’t see your insulation, there are a number of things that will happen inside your home, indicating your insulation needs replacing.
The temperature changes unevenly in your home
One of the clearest signs that your insulation is not functioning correctly is the variation in temperature throughout your home. Your home should rise and fall in temperature relatively evenly throughout. Homes that have insulation issues will see some rooms hot while others are cold.
You struggle to get your home to the right temperature and then keep it there
If you have noticed that it takes all day to get the temperature right in your home because it never stays at a constant temperature long-term it might be your insulation.
Your whole home feels drafty
Have you noticed drafts in your home during certain times? This is a clear indication that the insulation in your home is not working properly to block airflow from the outside.
Specific rooms in your home have drafts
Sometimes not all the insulation in your home might need replacing only certain areas. Noticing a draft in some rooms and not others can indicate either the insulation in that area needs replacing or possibly that crawl spaces that were never insulated need insulation added.
Your energy bill is way too high
Did you get an energy bill that made your heart drop? Insulation that is not working properly means that your HVAC system will have to work harder to keep your home cool.
Occupants in your home get frequent allergies or sickness
Insulation that is older can be a spot for mold, allergens, and other types of bacteria to form and grow. Sensitive members of your household or those that are directly exposed to old insulation can experience sicknesses related to it.
You have noticed leaks or other moisture issues
Any type of leak or moisture issues in your home should be a concern regarding not only your interior but also your insulation which is usually hidden behind your walls and floors. When insulation is exposed to moisture over time it will deteriorate and not perform as intended.
You are having pest problems
Noticing an increase in pests within your home such as rats, mice, squirrels or insects can be a clear indicator that your insulation is compromised. Pests usually make their way through your roof and down into your attic. If you have noticed small rodents or insects inside your home it can be a sign that somewhere, your insulation has a hole in it that they are making use of to access your home.
You have seen the insulation falling down or appearing wet
The most obvious sign that your insulation needs to be replaced is if you have physically seen it falling down or appearing wet. Insulation should not be falling down, dripping, or breaking in any way.
Conclusion
New insulation can dramatically improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your energy bills. It also decreases the stress on your HVAC unit and will improve the quality of air inside your home. Don’t wait until you are miserable to get your home’s insulation repaired.
If you are experiencing any of the issues we have laid out here in your home, give a professional insulation company like us a call to get your home back into working order. Let our experienced insulation technicians come out and perform a no-cost assessment and estimate on your home so you can get your insulation problems solved for good!
