Is It Time For An Insulation Upgrade?

During extreme weather seasons like summer and winter, having good insulation is important. Insulation on the attic floor is a particularly important spot of the house that should have proper insulation. In the smoldering heat of the summer months, attic insulation keeps hot air from escaping the attic and seeping into the rooms. During the chilled winter season, the attic insulation prevents the warm air inside from escaping into the attic. Reasons like this are why KCA Services is here to help you identify if it’s time for an insulation upgrade and what to if it is time.

“The Chimney Effect”

One reason to consider upgrading your attic insulation is “the chimney effect.” It occurs when hot air escapes into the attic. It creates a vacuum that takes cold air in through any leaks in the floor. In colder temperatures, the chimney effect can become a major contributor to the increase in heating bills and can make the home feel drafty.

How Can You Tell?

There are a couple of warning signs that can hint that your home needs work on your insulation. 

Some Warning Signs Can Include:

• Check your insulation if the highest floor of your home feels too warm during the summer and too cold during the winter.
• If there are icicles or ice dams on your guttering because it is a sign that warm air is escaping into the attic.

There are ways to check if your attic insulation needs an upgrade without having to call a professional. All you will need is a tape measurer. You may need a flashlight, but that is only if your attic space doesn’t have enough lighting.

Once you’re in the attic, look around. If you can see the floor joists, you may need more insulation. Floor joists are boards that are a few feet across the attic floor.

What To Do If You Need An Upgrade?

If you decide that you need more insulation, you might be able to get the job done yourself. It requires a lot of physical work and crawling around you’re home’s attic space, so sometimes it’s easier to hire a professional. Furthermore, attention to detail is important for getting the job done well, another reason that it might be the best course of action to find a professional.

There are other reasons to hire professionals instead of doing it yourself. If your home’s roof is leaking or has signs of leakage, you’ll need to patch the hole. There may also be mold as a result of the leakage, in which the mold must be removed before adding in any new insulation. If any vents exhaust into the attic, those will need to be moved outside of the attic before you can add more insulation.

Safety Tips For Doing It Yourself!

If you still decide to get the job done yourself after all that, there are some safety tips to take into consideration.

• Wear a hard hat, safety goggles, gloves and long sleeves.

• Consider knee pads! It’ll help make the process a little more comfortable and easier.

• Only walk on the joists. The ceiling drywall will not be able to carry your weight.

• Stay hydrated!

If you are looking for a professional to help improve your insulation in Boerne, Texas, schedule with KCA Services today!