Cunningham Insulation

Proper attic insulation saves you $ on your energy bills. However, old insulation may no longer be doing its job. Most homeowners never even think about insulation removal, but I will detail why you should.

There are a few telltale signs which signal that it may be time to remove your old attic insulation. If you are willing to get your feet dirty and do a little investigating, you can head up into your attic to check for signs that it is time to remove the old insulation. One common problem of old insulation is that it has become a home to rats and squirrels and the like. If you see these rodents, or see their droppings scattered around, you know it is time to get rid of that insulation. It is not recommended that you simply exterminate the rodents and keep the insulation, since not only will their f***s be contaminating the insulation, but oftentimes their babies will be left hidden in it. While looking around, if you see that your insulation is wet, or only even damp, it is recommended that you remove this insulation. Not only does water-damaged insulation lose its effectiveness, it is prone to growing mold which is very unhealthy to breathe.

Finally, we end with a quick word of warning. It may be tempting for home owners to think that, if their attic insulation has become damaged for any of the above reasons, that they can simply place new insulation on the top of the old, or maybe just remove some of the old insulation and install new insulation only partially. However, while these methods will save you some cash up front, it is normally thought that they will ultimately cost you more, and may even be dangerous to your health, for the reasons mentioned above. When the time comes, your best bet is to completely gut out the old insulation.

Due to some common misunderstandings, certain types of insulation have gained an undeserved reputation for stopping air leaks. One of these is spray foam insulation. Some homeowners apply this insulation to cavities in the attic, walls and floors assuming this foam will stop any air seeping in. While spray foam reduces heat loss and gain as it was designed to do, air can flow through this type of insulation just like any other. Stopping air leakage is important for your comfort, indoor air quality and your home’s energy efficiency, but there are better ways to do it. What actually stops air from blowing into your home is gypsum board, which stops nearly 80 percent of the air, as well as siding or similar material, which stops another 12 percent. The remaining air leakage should be blocked by applying caulk and weatherstripping. Give us a call and we can show you where your house may need some attention, to save you some money on your summertime electric bill.