Insulation is one of those home details people often don’t think about, since they assume their houses were well insulated when they were built. However, even if true, some kinds of insulation can degrade over time due to moisture, pests, and other circumstances.
It’s a good idea to have an inspection conducted to ensure your home is well-insulated. Also, to identify any problem areas that may need replacing. These issues could lead to damage to your house which, in the long run, could end up being far more expensive to fix. Let’s take a look at the five risks to your home caused by poor insulation.
1. Loss of Heat and Air Conditioning
A poorly insulated home will result in significant amounts of air flow, which means heat and A/C continuously escape, making your HVAC system be forced to work harder to maintain desired temperatures. It also results in higher energy bills.
2. Severe Plumbing Issues
If you live in a region where winters experience extreme cold, pipes can freeze, or worse, burst. Heat can help keep pipes warm enough to an extent, but if your pipes are getting greater exposure to cold due to poor insulation, it increases the chances of freezing or bursting. Also, poor insulation can lead to condensation on pipes, leading to rusty conditions.
3. Growth of Mold
A lack of or poor insulation can lend favorably to mold growth. This is because when condensation forms, it creates conditions for mold to form. Not only is mold unsightly, but there are also certain kinds of molds that are hazardous to the health of everyone living or spending significant amounts of time in your home.
4. Ice Dam Formation
Ice can lead to structural damage to your home. When ice dams form, they prevent proper water flow. How insulation ties in is—if your attic isn’t properly protected from the air flow, the warm air from the main part of the home rises and warms the ice. However, the warmer air doesn’t heat everything externally, so the water freezes in gutters and eaves. Subsequent ice melts result in the water having no place to flow, so it backs up and can cause problems with shingles and gutter damage, along with potential interior damage. Proper insulation can go a long way towards preventing ice dams from occurring.
5. Gaps for Pests to Creep In
Pests can easily enter through gaps in a home; however, good insulation puts additional barriers for them to have to get through. Furthermore, certain types of insulation can serve as effective deterrents for pests.
Contact Us for a Professional Evaluation Today
To prevent damage and needing costly repairs to your home, ensuring proper insulation is installed throughout your home helps to protect your home. To determine if your home is sufficiently insulated, schedule a no-cost assessment with Valley Home Insulation today.
