Does your home never get warm enough in the winter or cool and comfortable in the summer, no matter how high or low you set your HVAC settings? Have you also noticed that your energy bills keep creeping up? Maybe your home smells weird, too, and you or other family members constantly sneeze and sniffle.
If so, take those as signs you need attic insulation removal and replacement services. Such symptoms indicate deteriorated, water-damaged, or pest-infested insulation.
This guide explains those signs and symptoms and how new insulation can help, so read on.
Table of Contents
1. Temperature Fluctuations and High Energy Bills
Attic insulation acts as a barrier between your home and external temperatures. It helps prevent outdoor heat from penetrating your home in the summer. Then, come winter, it keeps the warm air from your heating system from escaping to the outdoors.
Over time, though, attic insulation degrades and loses its effectiveness. This can happen faster when it becomes damp or sustains damage. Either way, this ineffectiveness can make your home too warm or cold to your liking.
That can then force you to keep changing your HVAC thermostat settings. Unfortunately, doing so increases energy usage and utility bills.
To prevent further spikes in your energy bills, consider enlisting attic insulation services ASAP. Professionals can help determine if it’s time for insulation replacement. If so, they’ll remove the existing materials and install the replacement properly.
2. Signs of Moisture or Water Damage
Water-damaged insulation often shows visible discoloration and water stains. You may notice these unsightly marks on other attic structures, too. You may also see rust spots on metal surfaces, peeling paint, and mold.
Moldy insulation alone is a huge problem, even more so if the molds have already colonized. They can produce allergens, irritants, and toxic substances that cause health problems. Touching or inhaling them can lead to eye, skin, nose, throat, and lung irritation.
So, as soon as you notice the above symptoms, call an attic insulation expert. They may already need to remove and replace water and mold-damaged insulation.
3. Pest Infestation
Missing sections in your attic insulation is a sign of pests. Mice and rats are especially fond of insulation, which provides warmth and shelter. They also use the materials to build their nests.
Unfortunately, pest-damaged insulation becomes less effective in insulating your attic and home. Worse, they can become breeding grounds for pathogens.
For example, rodents can contaminate your insulation with feces, saliva, and urine. These fluids and droppings contain pathogens that cause illnesses in humans and animals. You can get sick by inhaling air contaminated by such waste.
So, if you suspect a pest infestation in your attic, hire an insulation expert ASAP. They can inspect and replace your current installation and advise you on how to deal with the pests.
Never Delay Necessary Insulation Removal and Replacement
From poor indoor comfort to high energy bills and pests, these are all signs you need insulation removal and replacement. So, as soon as you notice them, call an insulation expert. They can help you regain control of your indoor climate, comfort, and safety.
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