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Attic Insulation Problems: 5 Things to Look Out For

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What Problems To Look For With Attic Insulation

If you’ve been experiencing uneven temps in your home for a while now or your energy bills are sky rocketing, could be that your attic insulation in St. Charles MO is to blame. There may not be enough of it, you don’t have the right type, or it wasn’t installed correctly.
Inadequate or low-quality insulation in your attic can lead to anything from mold growth to pest invasions. Be on the lookout for these top five attic insulation problems.

1. Mildew and Mold

Organic growth is a common issue when it comes to attic insulation, thanks to all the extreme temperatures that happen up there. Moisture is the biggest culprit when it comes to mold, for example, which can proliferate in wet conditions. If you have experienced roof leaks in the past or you don’t have a vapor barrier, water will absorb into your insulation and become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can have serious health consequences for occupants.

2. Pests

All sorts of pests could be nesting in your insulation, and you probably don’t even realize it. You may not go into your attic a lot, or when you do, it’s dark and imposing so you can’t see much. Anything from rats and mice to squirrels and bats could be lurking up there, nesting in your insulation, leaving disease-carrying urine and feces behind. Call a pest control company, then call a trusted attic insulation contractor in St. Louis MO to remove and replace the affected materials.

3. Shifted and Settled Materials

It’s common, over time, for cellulose and blown-in insulation materials to shift and settle, becoming more compact. This results in a lower R-Value for your attic, which will translate to higher energy bills. Could be that your insulation was installed improperly, leading to uneven distribution and thus air movement. Consider using spray foam, which doesn’t settle or shift over time.

4. Blocked Attic Vents

Your attic has to be properly vented, but if those vents are blocked, air flow can’t be achieved. Thus, your attic insulation can fall victim to moisture, which leads to mildew and mold growth. Periodically check your attic vents to ensure nothing is blocking them.

5. Ice Dams

If you frequently get ice dams at the edge of your roof, it has a lot to do with poor attic insulation. Ice dams are when heavy icicles form when the snow melts and starts to run down the roof, only to refreeze at the edge. This is the result of only part of the roof warming up above freezing during the day, which melts the snow but keeps the roof edge below freezing. Additional insulation as well as ventilation may fix this problem. Also, use a snow rake in winter to remove excess snow, and to prevent cave-ins and leaks.
The best way to fix all of the above problems is to ensure your attic material is sufficient, clean, and high in quality. An insulation contractor in O’Fallon MO can let you know what the issue is and how best to fix it. It may involve just adding more insulation, or it could involve total replacement.

Contact Our Insulation Experts in St. Louis MO

There are many methods of adding insulation to your home this summer, such as spray foam insulation or blown insulation. Either way, we can install it for you. Just contact us in St. Charles MO or St. Louis MO at 636-233-7314.

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