25% of your home's heat is lost through the roof. With this in mind, it is only right to get the best roof insulation for your home to cut your energy costs and live comfortably. When done right, insulation can last you up to 40 years before the need to replace it. Read on for more information on how to get proper roof insulation, and when you need to schedule an insulation inspection.
How to Achieve Optimal Roof Insulation in Your Home
You need to be proactive about your home's insulation to ensure it is up to standard. Below are a few tips to help you attain optimal roof insulation in your home.
1. Understand the recommended R-Value
R-Value refers to the ability of insulation material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the better it performs in keeping your home protected. Since every location is different, they have different R-Value thresholds. Check with the U.S Department of Energy to ascertain what R-Value and insulation thickness you need for your home. This way, you can take proper measures to ensure that you have optimal roof insulation and are compliant with your area's building regulations.
2. Choose the Right Insulation Materials
Insulation materials come in a wide variety, ranging from batts to loose-fills. With each having its pros and cons, choosing the right insulation material for your home is crucial to ensuring it works optimally and provides adequate insulation for longer. If you have no idea what insulation to go for, consult an insulation professional on the best option that meets the needs of your home.
3. Assess the Roof Condition before Installing Insulation
Before installing or replacing roof insulation, it is important to assess the condition of your roof. Check for leakages that may cause water to get on to your roof and damage the insulation, structural problems and dampness. This helps prevent damage to your insulation and allows it to work efficiently.
4. Work with the best insulation professionals
The key to installing and maintaining optimal roof insulation lies in working with roof insulation experts. Whether you suspect your insulation is inadequate, or you simply want to reinsulate your roof, going the DIY route can be dangerous. There is risk of accidents and injuries, as well as an irritation that can be caused by insulation materials.
By working with roof insulation experts, you are assured of proper installation. What's more, an insulation professional will offer you the necessary advice on how to ensure your roof insulation remains efficient and serves you optimally for longer.
Take note that getting on to the roof on your own to inspect your home’s insulation is a dangerous undertaking. As such, you should leave it to professionals who have the experience and knowledge to inspect the roof safely. What's more, they are well trained to identify potential issues that may jeopardize your roof insulation, which may not be visible to you.
Why Optimal Insulation is so Important
Here is why you need to maintain optimal insulation in your home at all times:
Maintains Comfortable Temperatures. Insulation works by preventing heat loss from your home. It helps maintain warm temperatures during winter and keeps your home cool during summer. This is because when it gets hot, the insulation traps warm air in your home and allows it to circulate as much as possible, preventing further heat from getting in. As such, you get to enjoy comfortable temperatures, even during the most unforgiving seasons.
Energy Efficiency and Cost-savings. With proper insulation, your energy consumption from the HVAC system drops. This makes your home more energy-efficient as it needs less power to maintain ideal temperatures during extreme months. Therefore, you spend less in terms of energy bills and repairs that may arise from overworking the AC system.
Reduced Noise Pollution. Although roof insulation functions to prevent loss of energy from your home, it also comes in handy if you live in a noisy neighborhood. Maintaining optimal insulation keeps away noise from your external surroundings, allowing you to enjoy the peace and tranquility of your home.
Reduces Moisture Problems. Inadequate insulation causes temperature differences between the inside and outside environment of your house. This in turn, results in condensation and moisture build-up in your attic and roof. If unchecked, it eventually leads to moisture problems such as mold and mildew that are detrimental to respiratory health.
Water droplets can also ruin your valuables, cause unsightly patches on your ceiling, and pose fire hazards if it comes in contact with electrical wires. With optimal insulation, condensation is unlikely, thus protecting your home from moisture-related damage.
When to Call an Insulation Professional for Insulation Inspection
It is recommended to have your roof insulation inspected at least once a year. If you conduct any roof repairs or replacement as a result of leaks, you should also have your attic insulation inspected by a professional for any damage. Here are other signs you should look out for that necessitate an insulation inspection:
- Drafts. Drafts throughout your home could be a result of air leaks in your attic. You should have your roof insulation checked and properly insulated and sealed to prevent air leaks and heat loss from your home.
- High energy bills. High energy bills could be a result of your HVAC system working harder to maintain comfortable temperatures in your home as a result of inadequate insulation. After ruling out any other possible cause for a spike in your energy bills, you should call a professional for insulation inspection.
- Frequent allergies. If you or your family members suddenly develop allergies, it may be a sign of insulation problems. Old, damaged or poorly installed insulation can encourage the growth of bacteria, mold, and allergens which irritate the respiratory system and trigger allergies. If your insulation is old, dust and dirt tend to accumulate over time, reducing its effectiveness. You should reach out to an insulation professional to inspect your roof insulation.
- Moisture problems. A moist attic or presence of mold and mildew signals possible insulation problems that lead to condensation and moisture build-up. If your HVAC is working well and you have no roofing problems such as leakages, contact your insulation professional to check your insulation as it may be the culprit.
- Presence of animals in your attic. Critter and rodents in your roof pose the risk of damaging your roof insulation by chewing through it and excreting it. With damaged insulation, your HVAC system won't run efficiently. If you notice animals living on your roof, get rid of them immediately and schedule an insulation inspection. It is advisable to replace insulation after an animal infestation to not only get rid of bad odor, but also from parasites as well for future possible infestations.
- Insulation is wet, damaged, thin or falling apart. If you notice that your roof insulation is wet, damaged, breaking down or thin, chances are it has outlived its usefulness. As such, you should call your insulation professional to have a look and recommend the best course of action.
If you are facing any insulation problems or you simply want to evaluate the condition of your roof insulation, First Quality Roofing & Insulation’s roofing professionals are available to help. Contact us at 702-262-7847 for all your attic insulation needs including inspection and replacement.
