Whether you like it or not, at some point, you will need to remove your old attic insulation. In case you don’t know, having old insulation in your attic is a major cause for concern. Not only does it compromise your home energy consumption rate and overload your HVAC system, but it also has several health ramifications.
Importantly, not taking care of your old attic insulation will also make any needed insulation measures redundant. This is why it is quite important that you have them removed before getting in touch with a spray foam insulation contractors Houston.
Meanwhile, here are some of the advantages of removing your old attic insulation.
Prevention of Moisture Problems
Moisture control helps to reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool the home, thereby reducing cost. However, old attic insulation such as fiberglass absorbs moisture and can allow it to leak into the ceilings, floorboards, baseboards, and walls. Leading to high energy consumption.
Moisture problems also affect the effectiveness of your insulation and air sealing efforts. Although moisture can be controlled by ensuring proper ventilation, leaving the old attic insulation after spray foam insulation will make the attic cooler during winter. This negates the effect of spray foam which is to give the attic a conditioned and warmer space.
Improved Air Seal
Spray foam does not only insulate the home; it also acts as an air barrier. When handled by professionals who can get the spray foam in the major areas, such as the eaves, where air leakage occurs, it insulates and reduces air leakage in the home by acting as a seal tight against air.
However, leaving the old attic insulation interferes with the spray foam insulation. When spray foam is mixed and applied, it enlarges and gets into every nook and cranny of the attic, thereby creating a barrier against air. Leaving the old insulation prevents this purpose and hinders the spray foam from getting into the cracks and crevices. This is because spray foam insulation should be done in a clean space to adhere properly.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Since the old insulation contains debris, dust, rat poop, food remains, and a whole lot of other dirty things, is it not best to remove it? Considering the fact that anything could be hiding in the old attic, it’s ideal to get rid of it before the spray foam insulation.
Leaving the old attic may also affect the quality of air that enters the home. The dirt and dust contribute to air pollution. This is a big risk to the health as the pollutants may contain volatile organic compounds as well as fine particles. These two indoor pollutants enter deeply into the lungs and gradually into the bloodstream.
Leaving the old insulation reduces the quality of air in your home since the odor is in your conditioned space, and you now have direct access to it.
Improved Health
Before deciding on leaving the old attic insulation, consider the health hazards associated with doing so. Cellulose and fiberglass absorb allergens and moisture that lead to the growth of mildew and mold. The presence of molds and mildew in the home is a big risk to every living thing in the home, including pets.
Leaving the old attic insulation can also mean creating better habitat and source of food for squirrels, rats, bats, and so on. These rodents and pests love dark and cool spaces, which is why the old attic is perfect for them. They also come with different diseases that can be a threat to your health.
Improved Air Circulation
Spray foam insulation helps to protect the roof, gives the attic a conditioned space, and prevents drafts in the attic. This helps to cool and warm your indoor space as required. To enjoy this benefit, there must be a free flow of air. Unfortunately, the presence of a layer of cellulose or fiberglass insulation on the attic floor hinders its circulation.
Also, lack of proper circulation of air may prevent some home appliances like the HVAC from working effectively. This is because more power will be required to make them absorb and release air back into the house; hence, they wear out faster than normal. This will increase the cost of maintaining them.
Factors That Can Compromise The Lifespan Of Your Insulation
Whatever type of insulation you have installed in your house, it is still prone to some harm. So you need to keep this in mind and make sure to avoid things that could compromise your insulation. Meanwhile, here are some common factors that could compromise your insulation and render it ineffective.
Water Damage
Since most insulation materials are made from fibrous and porous material, water becomes a natural enemy. Unfortunately, getting water out of insulation material is almost impossible. So once water gets into your insulation system, prepare to change it sooner than you should.
Fire Damage
After experiencing a fire accident, one of the key things fire remediation companies will do is to replace your insulation. When exposed to fire, most insulation material will start to shrink and break apart, rendering it inefficient.
Importantly, even if the fire didn’t touch the attic insulation directly, smoke can still get trapped within the insulation. This will inevitably lead to a pungent smell circulating all through the home. So after a fire accident, you should remember to include changing your insulation as part of remediation plans.
Pest Infestation
Pests are another major factor that could lead to damage to your insulation. When rodents like rats, raccoons, and squirrels target your home, they usually eat through any protective wall you may have installed. This will end up compromising the integrity of any installation you may have within the walls: such as your insulation material. So after pest extermination, you must always check your insulation.
In conclusion, all old attic insulation should be removed before applying a new one, no matter the cost or inconvenience. Without doing this, it may be difficult to enjoy the numerous benefits of new spray foam insulation. You can learn more about spray foam insulation by visiting our website here: https://fdinsulation.com/attic-insulation/spray-foam/.
First Defense Insulation,
12 Greenway Plaza Suite 1147 Houston Texas 77046,
713-808-9853
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