When an attic is poorly insulated, some very serious and expensive issues can arise. To help homeowners to become more aware and informed when it comes to their attics and roofing systems, we’ve outlined the twelve most obvious signs that your attic is poorly insulated:
1. Ice Damming
Ice dams are classified as ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof due to continuous melting and refreezing of snow. This ice blocks snow and water from draining off of roofs and can cause foundational issues and leaking in improperly insulated and ventilated homes.
In harsh Canadian climates, winter ice damming is one of the most obvious signs that something is awry in your attic and roofing system. To learn more about the risks of ice damming, check out our article, ‘How to Prevent & Eliminate Winter Ice Damming’.
2. Attic Water Leaks
Most people know that poor attic insulation allows heat to escape your home. However, many people don’t know that improper insulation can also let water into your home. From condensation and roof leaks, water can slip through the cracks of a poorly insulated attic and cause costly water damage to your walls, ceiling, and personal property.
3. Critters & Bugs Have Arrived
Are mice and bugs crawling their way into your home? While there can be a variety of different reasons these insects and critters have come to visit you, one reason can be that there are holes and spaces in your attic insulation for them to burrow and have their babies.
By increasing the volume of insulation in your attic, you can prevent vermin from invading your attic and ultimately your living spaces.
4. You Feel Cold Drafts
Do you feel cold drafts in your home in the wintertime? If so, it’s important to know that by adding insulation to not only your attic but also around your window and doors, these drafts can be stopped.
Learn more about our insulation services by visiting our Attic Insulation page.
5. Your Pipes Are Freezing Easily
Got frozen pipes? Then, unfortunately, you also have insulation issues. With freezing outdoor temperatures in the winter, frozen pipes can cause bursting – which can be extremely expensive and stressful to fix. Therefore, we suggest dealing with frozen pipe concerns before any issues pop up.
6. There’s Mould & Moisture In Your Attic
Is there mould or moisture in your attic? If so, it’s time to invest in re-insulation services that will protect your home and the health of your family.
When attics are insulated or ventilated properly, moisture from condensation can begin to pool in your attic. As this moisture heats up, mould can begin to grow – reducing the quality of air that you breathe day in and day out.
Should you be facing a mould problem, it’s important to call roofing professionals who can safely remove the mould, correct your ventilation issues, re-insulate, and set your roof up for optimal performance.
7. Your AC & Furnace Are In Overdrive
Insulation is designed and installed to balance the temperature within your attic and home. However, without proper insulation, your AC and furnace are forced to over-compensate for heat and cool escape.
If you notice that your AC and furnace seem to be working harder and harder, you are very likely dealing with an attic insulation issue that is going to cause your energy bill to rise:
8. Your Energy Bill Is ‘Through The Roof’
That brings us to the money you’re spending – which may literally be “going through the roof”. If you notice that your energy costs are growing and growing, it’s a smart idea to have a trusted roofing company come out to your property and to inspect the insulation in your attic.
If there are gaps in your insulation, or if your ventilation system isn’t set up correctly, heat won’t be able to escape, and external temperatures will easily enter. Therefore, your energy bill will grow, as your home struggles to control and balance internal heat or conditioning.
To fix this, your roofers can re-insulate, properly ventilation, and therefore reduce the sporadic costs you see on your monthly bill.
9. You Have Rooms That Always Feel Cold
Have you noticed that some rooms in your home are always colder than others? If you answered yes, then we can almost guarantee you’re fighting insulation issues – either in your attic or around your windows and doors.
10. Your Floors & Walls Are Cold To Touch
Insulation traps pockets of air and slows down the in and out process. In other words, insulation helps to keep outdoor air from getting inside your home and helps to keep conditioned air from escaping. However, if you’ve noticed your floors and walls are always cold, it’s likely that your insulation isn’t doing its job.
Our advice is to consistently do a simple “touch test” to determine if your home’s floors and walls feel significantly colder when outdoor temperatures are colder.
11. Interior Temperatures Are All Over The Place
Is there consistency in the interior temperature of your home? Does the temperature feel the same when you enter and exit various rooms? If not, you’re likely also experiencing drafts, high-energy bills, improper ventilation, and a lack of attic insulation.
If this is the case, don’t wait until the problem gets worse – your home should be comfortable. Call roofing professionals for a quote.
12. Your Neighbours Have Poor Insulation
Were your neighbours homes built by the same builder as yours? Have others on your street experienced any of the above issues on our list? Well, if so, odds are that your home was built at the same time and may have very similar problems.
While building codes are in place to help protect homeowners, many builders get away with “cheaping out” when it comes to insulation.
Call Roof Pro Plus Today!
To schedule your insulation inspection, give the roofers at Roof Pro Plus a call at 1-888-677-7757 today. As soon as we hear from you, we’ll arrange to send a crew over to evaluate your attic and to provide helpful solutions that will protect your home and your family from drafts, high-energy costs, and more.
CALL 1-888-677-7757
