BIRMINGHAM Blog

Here Are 7 Warning Signs Your Home Needs More Insulation

Ensuring your home has proper insulation is one of the best investments for your property. It can significantly impact your home’s comfort, safety, and energy efficiency.

As summer transitions to fall, it’s time to see if your home has adequate insulation for the colder seasons. It’s also crucial to inspect other problems that could affect it, such as a roof or plumbing leak, pest infestation, or mess left by subcontractors who accessed the attic. Neglecting this step of your home inspection can leave you with expensive energy bills and an uncomfortable property.

Here are seven red flags your home needs better insulation. 

1. Cool or Warm Exterior Walls

A well-insulated exterior wall is just as crucial as attic insulation for interior comfort. You need more insulation if your exterior walls feel warm or cool. You can create a more comfortable home by upgrading your walls and attic insulation. 

2. Noisy House 

No homeowner would want to return to a noisy house, especially after a long day at school or work. 

Besides preventing heat gain and loss, several homeowners usually use insulation to help create a quieter home. Dual-paned windows, adequate insulation (with the proper R-value for your state’s climate), and maintained caulking and weather stripping can help make a more peaceful home. You may also find insulation upgrades suitable for soundproofing to improve sleep quality at night. 

3. Drafty Home

A well-insulated home means no cold air can seep through the walls, windows, and other openings. However, a draft means that your home needs more insulation. Cold air from specific windows or doors means you must caulk, seal, or weather strip the areas. 

If your home temperature constantly changes, you might need to add more or upgrade the insulation. Moreover, if you have an old house, we recommend upgrading its system with modern energy standards. 

4. Mold or Mildew Growth 

Your attic works with your roof, ventilation systems, and HVAC units to keep indoor humidity levels between 30-40%, especially if you properly install and care for them. 

Mold and mildew can grow if you have moist indoor air. A musty odor can signal roof or plumbing leaks and poor attic or crawlspace insulation. Address these issues immediately to prevent property damage and severe respiratory illnesses. 

5. Pest Infestation

A rodent infestation in your attic can damage your home’s insulation, compromise indoor air quality, and create unhygienic and smelly environments. They usually settle in your home during the fall months. 

You can keep a rodent-free attic by sealing all possible entry points, setting traps and bait, and calling a professional pest control company. 

6. Roof or Attic Plumbing Leaks 

Several homeowners miss small roof leaks for a long time until they grow visible in the home’s living areas. This neglected time can provide room for water and moisture accumulation, which can damage your roof’s insulation because of repeated wetting and drying cycles. 

Regardless of any past or current signs of water damage, let your attic specialist assess if your insulation system has incurred irrevocable damage. 

7. Continuous HVAC Cycling 

As a responsible homeowner, you must assess your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems yearly. However, even if you have a well-maintained or new HVAC system, it will still struggle if your home doesn’t have adequate insulation. 

Regular switching on and off your HVAC system can make it challenging to maintain your preferred temperature. It can cause more expensive energy bills and higher maintenance costs. For this reason, it’s always best to let professionals assess your home’s insulation.

Conclusion

No homeowner would want to deal with a poorly-insulated home, especially during the colder months. Determining the warning signs of inadequate insulation and working with reputable contractors can help you enjoy a more comfortable and energy-efficient property during the off-season. 

If you need professional home insulation in Birmingham, AL, we can help. Koala Insulation Birmingham has over 50 years of combined experience installing insulation for your attic. Contact us now, and let’s help you make a more comfortable home!