Insulation is important when it comes to keeping your home comfortable, safe, and energy efficient.  It's a crucial component of your home and is responsible for keeping it warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and free from pests and moisture. When insulation fails to do this, you can end up with millions of dollars’ worth of problems. 

Knowing the causes of those failures can help you prevent them from happening. Read on to know some of the issues that may cause insulation problems along with some ways you can take for prevention.

Mold

If you have an attic, you’ve probably had to deal with different types of molds and mildew that grow in there. The thing is most types of insulation are not going to address the problem. As a matter of fact, the warm surface temperatures of insulation often provide a perfect environment for mold and mildew to thrive. This can pose a significant risk to your family, especially if you have asthma or allergies. But mold isn’t just a health risk—it can be incredibly dangerous for your home, too.    

There are some ways to counteract this problem by adding an air seal or using spray foam as well as looking for a non-water-absorbing type of insulation. But if you have mold in your attic, it's a good idea to look at the moisture problem first. The types of insulation are generally better at stopping air infiltration than they are at preventing water, so if you have a leaky roof or some other source of mold-inducing moisture, then you'll need to address that before investing in expensive insulation. 

Pests 

It’s easy to overlook your attic when you’re working on the rest of your home, but if you don’t take care of it then you might wind up living with pests. An attic can be an ideal nesting area for pests. From bats to squirrels, and even rats, they can find it dark and warm enough to make their homes here.  To protect against this, you should seal off any cracks or other points of entry you find. You can seal off those areas with spray foam insulation, which prevents pests from getting inside and makes it easier for your home to stay warm in winter. This can also help insulate your roof from heat loss during warm months, saving money on your heating bill. Your pest control company should be able to help you out with this issue, too — they may even leave behind some spray foam after they remove the pests to help seal off any cracks that may remain! 

Poor Installation 

Insulation can be installed by DIY enthusiasts or professionals. If done by a professional, it will be done according to industry standards and practices that ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. However, if performed by an amateur, there are chances of improper installation leading to insulation failure. This could be due to improper installation techniques or the use of the wrong materials.  

Is Your Attic Insulation Damaged? Schedule An Inspection for Your Attic Insulation

If you’re noticing that your attic feels warmer than usual or your energy bills are higher than usual, it could be caused by damaged attic insulation. The right amount of insulation in your home can save money on energy and improve the comfort level of your home. Yet installation or damage to your insulation means moisture can get into it and cause health problems, pests like rats and mice could also get inside your home, or it may be ineffective at keeping out the heat in the winter or cold air in the summertime. 

Don’t let any of these happen to you. If you suspect something could be wrong with your attic insulation, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free inspection.  We can inspect your attic insulation, find any problems with it, and even make any necessary repairs or replacements as quickly as possible so you don’t have to deal with damaged insulation now or in the future.  

For more information, contact RRG Roofing at 678-326-4951. We service areas in Dahlonega, Blairsville, Hiawassee, and Alpharetta, GA.