Have you given any thought to your insulation? If your insulation is old or inadequate, you may have felt the effects --- and not known that your insulation was the problem. Graves Bros. Home Improvement has put together a list of signs that you may not realize indicate issues with your insulation.
#1 High Energy Bills
Review your energy bills for the last few years. Have you seen large increases in your heating costs? Insulation in your attic or walls may have settled, leaving some areas unprotected from cold temperatures. Wasted heat may be escaping through the under-insulated walls and roof, causing your energy bills to soar.
#2 Drafty, Cold Rooms
Do the temperatures in your home fluctuate from room to room? Do you feel cold drafts from cool air coming in around your doors and windows? Are some rooms in your home always too cold or too hot --- no matter what you do? These are all signs that your insulation is no longer doing its job.
#3 Cold Floors, Walls, and Ceilings
Your floors, interior walls, and ceilings should feel warm and dry to the touch. When they feel damp and cold, it is an indicator that there is not enough insulation.
#4 Water Leaks in Your Attic
Poor insulation in your attic lets heat out and water in. While a leak is likely indicative of a roofing or other issue, it may also have to do with insulation making it easier for water to get in. It's important to get any water leaks looked at immediately before they cause further damage, including mold growth.
#5 Ice Dams on Your Roof
During chilly Western NY winters, heat rises and escapes your home through areas of poor insulation, melting the layer of snow closest to the roof. This water trickles towards your gutters, freezes, and forms large chunks of ice and icicles. This ice damming can damage your roof and gutters and is dangerous to those walking below the icicles.
#6 Frozen Pipes
Proper insulation in your walls keeps pipes from freezing during our frosty winters. If your insulation is not up to par, pipes can freeze and burst, causing thousands of dollars of damage to your home.
Insulation Inspection
If you've noticed any of the six signs that you need new insulation in your home, call Graves Bros. Home Improvement to talk to one of our insulation professionals. We'll come to your home to inspect your current insulation and make recommendations.