A lot of homeowners forget about their insulation as soon as its installed. It’s understandable. Ideally, a home’s insulation should last about 100 years or so! However, there are several factors that can affect the lifespan of your insulation, like an infestation of bugs or pests and exposure to moisture or water. Knowing how often you need to call your roofing contractor to inspect your insulation can help extend its life and even help you save on energy bills.
How Often Should You Request For Insulation Inspection?
The Department of Energy, as well as many other experts, highly recommend that homeowners have their insulation inspected annually.
If you have had your yearly inspection and then you find yourself dealing with leaks or any problem that warrants a roof repair, it is best to have an insulation inspection then, too.
Does Your Insulation Need Replacement?
There are a few signs that if present will tell you that it’s time to replace your installation. One of them is the ever-changing temperature in your home. This may be because the insulation in your attic has already shifted, rendering the work of your heating and cooling system pointless.
Having ‘tenants’ like rats, bats and squirrels residing in your crawl space or attic means it is really time to get new insulation. Simply evicting your unwanted guests is not enough as they have surely done damage to your insulation.
If your home’s insulation had gotten moist or wet, it requires immediate replacement. Not only will damp insulation become ineffective at this point, but it will also encourage the growth of mold that may then result in exposure to dangerous mycotoxins in your home.
Unusually high energy bills can also be an indication that your insulation is no longer adequate. If your cooling system has to work harder during summer and your heater pushes itself to its limits during winter, your energy bills will surely be higher than they used to be. Your energy bills are a long-term expense, so you might as well invest in new insulation.
Just like shingles, gutters and other parts that play a big role in your roofing system, so does your insulation. It performs a number of functions that help keep your home more comfortable while saving energy.
Set a schedule for insulation inspection with NorthWest Construction today! Give us a call at (313) 277-7676 and our staff will be happy to answer your inquiries. We offer roofing and insulation services in West Bloomfield, Dearborn and Taylor, MI, as well as the surrounding areas.