Insulating your home is vital for both your physical and financial comfort, but many homeowners make one basic mistake when it comes to insulation: they neglect the attic. Read on for more information and to find out if you do, indeed, have an attic insulation issue.
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Insulating your home is vital for both your physical and financial comfort, but many homeowners make one basic mistake when it comes to insulation: they neglect the attic. A poorly insulated attic can be a tremendous source of heat loss. After all, heat rises—remember 6th grade science class?
You might be experiencing higher utility bills than usual this winter, but how can you tell whether it’s due to lousy attic insulation or something else entirely? That’s where we come in. The team at Guns ‘N’ Hoses is here to tell you about the biggest red flags for attic insulation issues, so that you never have to worry about losing heat to the cold November rain again.
What are the Signs of a Poorly Insulated Attic?
Attic insulation can reduce your cold-weather heating costs by as much as 30%, so it’s critical to take care of it. Attics with sub-standard insulation have a few key tells, so keep your eyes out for the following signs:
Bathroom Fan Staining
The number one sign you have an attic insulation issue is staining around your bathroom fan. Typically, you’ll see a water stain around your bathroom fan that is yellow-brown in colour.
You may also notice staining around other fans or light fixtures in your home. This is because when your attic isn’t insulated properly, ice can form around the fan’s vent pipe.
As temperatures increase, the ice melts, dripping around the fan opening and causing staining.
Rising Energy Bills
This is one of the most obvious signs that your home has insulation problems, but it’s also one of the most reliable. Remember, insulation doesn’t just keep heat inside your house during winter—it also prevents cool air from escaping if you run an air conditioner in the summer.
If you notice suspiciously high utility bills at any time during the year, it’s time to check your insulation. You may also notice that your furnace or air conditioner is running frequently or almost all the time. If your insulation isn’t up-to-par, your furnace and AC will have to work harder to maintain your home’s temperature.
Mould and Moisture
Mould and moisture issues are very common in Alberta, since the temperature can change drastically from day to night. One of the best ways to check for poor attic insulation is to actually take a look inside your attic.
If the air is moist, chances are good that at least some of it is coming in from outside, and that spells insulation problems. Moist air often causes mould to form in enclosed spaces too, so check in the corners and behind any furniture you might be storing up there.
Drafts
If your attic has severe insulation issues, the cold air up there will probably create a draft near the hatch. Go to the area surrounding the hatch and feel the air with your hand. If it seems cooler than the air elsewhere in your home, your attic is probably the culprit behind your home’s heat loss.
Ice Dams
Problems with your attic insulation will result in more heat leaking through specific places on your roof. When that happens, it can cause the snow above those areas to melt and run down your roof as liquid water until it’s away from the heat—at which point it will refreeze.
The resulting buildup of ice along your roof’s edges is called an ice dam, and it can cause significant damage to shingles and tiles. If you see a suspicious number of icicles hanging off your rooftop in the winter, call a roofing company to assess your roof for damage (and have them check your attic insulation while they’re at it).
Pest Infestations
The most common pest problem in Calgary and surrounding areas are squirrels. Despite their small size, squirrels can do a lot of damage to your insulation. Insects can be another problem.
Most crawling insects come into homes through ground-level areas, and rodents can get in from just about anywhere. However, flying insects such as bees and wasps often build hives in attics, and the attic can be a prime spot for small birds to build nests. If you see anything with wings, have a pro come visit and check out your attic insulation for unwanted guests.
Frozen Pipes
Completely frozen pipes are rare, but it can happen. More commonly, you’ll probably end up with the bathroom fan staining we described above.
However, many homes have piping that runs through or near the attic. Poor attic insulation can leave these pipes vulnerable to freezing during the winter, as heat leaks to the outside and cools the air around them.
Water Leaks
If your attic pipes do freeze, there’s a chance they’ll crack when they eventually thaw out and the metal warps. If that happens, you’ll probably notice water dripping from your ceiling or down your walls.
Water damage can weaken the structural integrity of your home and reduce its value significantly, so turn off the water in your home as soon as you notice this problem and get in touch with a plumber. While you’re at it, call an insulation specialist to fix the problem in your attic and make sure your pipes won’t freeze again in the future!
Know the Signs & Protect Your Attic
Recognizing the signs of damaged or inadequate attic insulation doesn’t just lower your utility bills and keep your indoor temperature comfortable. It also prevents the pipes and surfaces in your attic from damage that could easily affect other parts of your home.
Trust The Expert Team at Guns N Hoses
Here’s what you can expect from our trusted insulation service:
Evaluation
Your personal insulation professional will come to your home and inspect your current attic condition, checking for gaps, inadequate coverage, or areas where insulation may be missing. They’ll also look for signs of moisture damage, mold or pests.
Your insulation professional may also use thermal imaging to evaluate the efficiency of your spaces, identifying areas of heat loss or gain due to insufficient insulation.
Precise measurement of your attic will be taken as well to determine the amount of insulation needed.
Recommendation
You will then be presented with insulation options. Your insulation professional will go over the benefits, R Value and cost effectiveness of each.
All insulation recommendations are thoroughly explained and consider ventilation improvements or moisture barriers to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the insulation and to prevent issues such as condensation and mold growth.
An estimated cost and timeline breakdown will then be provided so you can prepare for installation.
Installation
Once your quote has been approved, our team of certified professionals can get right to work.
Your attic and/or garage will be cleaned and cleared of obstructions and debris, and we’ll address any moisture or pest issues.
Your chosen insulation material is then applied throughout your space ensuring proper coverage. Special attention will be paid around vents, rafters and windows to prevent air loss.
Once the installation is complete, your contractor will conduct a final inspection to ensure quality workmanship. We’re proud to offer Leave No Trace Guarantees and year round service, at Guns N Hoses we stand behind our quality products.
If you suspect that your attic is suffering from an insulation problem, contact a licensed professional insulation expert who can accurately diagnose the problem and provide you with a quote for effective repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insulation Services
What insulation services do you offer?
We want to make sure your insulation is creating a comfortable living environment for you and your family. We offer insulation removal, air sealing, garage insulation, and infrared scans to keep your energy costs low.
Do you reconnect vents and electrical fixtures?
When we complete a project, we ensure to cover all our bases. We will review and fix everything necessary; from ventilation, to ducting, to electrical fixtures, we’ve got you covered!
Can I finance insulation?
Yes! You can finance any of our services, so the renovations, repairs, or inspections you need are attainable.
How much do insulation services cost?
We pride ourselves in offering affordable services, but it is difficult to provide an accurate estimate of cost without seeing your project and figuring out the amount of work necessary. If you’re interested in insulation services, please call us so we can give you a quote and get started as soon as possible.
Why Choose Guns N Hoses
We take pride in high-quality attic thermal imaging and insulation services you can rely on. We don’t give up until you are fully satisfied with our services.
