High-quality, properly installed attic insulation is important to maintain comfortable air temperatures in your home all year long. But if the quality of your attic insulation is compromised, whether it’s due to poor quality, poor insulation or long-term degradation, there are some issues that could arise that you will need to address.
If you do not immediately address insulation issues when you notice them, larger problems could soon arise in your Sacramento, CA home. These potential problems include:
- Settling insulation: All insulation settles at least a small amount over long periods of time. Blown-in insulation, for example, can lose its thickness over time, resulting in settling. Batts of insulation are less likely to have that kind of settling, but they’re also not ideal for certain areas that need insulation and are harder to reach. The more insulation settles, the less effective it will be at actually insulating the home.
- Fire risk: Depending on the kind of insulation you have, it could prove to be a fire risk if you’re dealing with other problems in the home. Most insulation materials these days are designed to be fireproof, but older forms of insulation, or insulation batts that are backed with foil or paper, are not fireproof and need further fireproofing treatment to prevent combustion or the spread of fire.
- Dampness and mold: Insulation needs to stay dry—it’s not designed to be exposed to moisture. There are ways, though, that insulation can be exposed to moisture, including leaks from plumbing or from the roof, infiltration of humid air from gaps in the siding or from windows and doors, and spreading mold (usually a result of other moisture exposure). Some types of insulation are more prone to mold growth than others. If the insulation is made with organic materials like cellulose, mold is much more likely to become an issue than if the insulation is primarily fiberglass, for example.
- Health issues: Exposure to fiberglass insulation can cause some health issues, which makes it important to address problems with fiberglass insulation as soon as you become aware of them. Touching fiberglass insulation can cause rashes or other skin irritation, due to the harsh, tiny fibers. Older insulation materials that have large fibers can cause irritation in the respiratory tract if breathed in. When dealing with fiberglass insulation, make sure you wear protective sleeves and gloves, which will help you to avoid rashes. Finally, old insulation may include asbestos, which could cause cancer if inhaled. If you’re dealing with insulation that has asbestos, make sure to contact professionals who understand how to safely remove it before installing new materials.
If you’re interested in learning more about some of the potential insulation issues that could arise over years of usage, we encourage you to contact our insulation installation company in Sacramento, CA. The team at 5 Star Performance Insulation, Inc. is happy to answer any questions you have and provide you with information that will help you address any of the insulation issues you’re facing at your home.