SW CHICAGO Blog

Negative Effects of Old and Damaged Insulation in Southwest Chicago

While most insulation falls into an “out of sight, out of mind” category for many homeowners, it’s crucial to have a system in place to regularly evaluate and replace the material. A lack of quality insulation and air sealing can lead to discomfort and potential health risks in most homes. While it’s particularly important to check the material after you’ve discovered a leak or other exposure damage, knowing the signs of poor insulation can be the preventative measures needed to save you time and money in the long run.

Increased Health Risks

Poor Indoor Air Quality

When your insulation and air sealing have been properly installed with quality coverage, the house has preventative measures against outdoor pollutants like allergens, debris, and bacteria. Deteriorated material, cracks, and holes that haven’t been maintained can lead to poor indoor air quality. This increases respiratory irritation, allergies, and other health risks. It’s an especially important factor to consider if someone in your household has asthma or other respiratory conditions.

High Humidity

Old or damaged insulation can retain water or moisture, which leads to increased humidity. This is an especially common problem for homeowners attempting DIY insulation installations that haven’t properly cleaned or prepared the area. Exposed to leaks or condensation, the trapped moisture can contribute to uncomfortable humidity levels. When this affects your building envelope, the deteriorated structure can encourage pests like dust mites, termites, and carpenter ants.

Mold Growth

In addition to attracting pests, higher humidity and moisture can lead to mold growth in your building. As mentioned earlier, homeowners that aren’t familiar with properly installing their installation can miss significant condensation or hidden water damages. When this is trapped under new insulation, bacteria and mold have the perfect environment to grow and fester, increasing your risk of damage and health concerns.

Higher Expenses

Material Removal

If your home's insulation hasn't been inspected in years, you may not be aware of potentially dangerous material throughout the structure. This poses not only health risks but higher expenses for removal. Before the discovery of its harmful effects, asbestos was used as a common insulation material until the 1980s. Asbestos particles are toxic dust that can lead to a number of health risks, primarily the development of mesothelioma. Old fiberglass insulation can also release particles when disturbed, as it's made from molten glass spun into tiny fibers. While not toxic like asbestos, this can irritate your skin, eyes, and throat if inhaled. It's crucial to contact a professional if you're unfamiliar with the material that was installed in your home. If left for too long, removing and replacing the material can become more costly due to additional safety precautions.

Poor Climate Control

Insulation’s primary function is to help regulate the temperature within your home by reducing the rate at which heat enters and exits the building, known as heat transfer. Deteriorated, damaged, or poorly installed material is less effective in preventing unwanted heat during the summer and loss of warmth during the winter. Your HVAC system, in turn, will become overworked in order to keep up with the thermostat. If you’re experiencing higher energy costs throughout the year and seeing an increase in your monthly bills, a lack of sufficient insulation may be a likely culprit.

Overworked HVAC System

Putting significant strain on the system in order to reduce the effects of extreme weather can cause problems for your comfort and your budget. In addition to increased energy costs, an overworked HVAC system could mean you're also seeing an increase in maintenance fees. While it won't necessarily be a monthly problem like the higher bills, you're exponentially reducing the life of your unit as it runs consistently. You'll need to repair it more often if it becomes overheated or damaged and in some cases, it may lead to an entire need for replacement.

Improve Your Comfort and Safety with Local Pros

Having regularly evaluated and updated insulation in your home is crucial to a safe and comfortable home. Especially if you’ve recently experienced heavy weather, leaks, or other harm to the home, your insulation material needs to be evaluated for deterioration and damage. The material significantly contributes to your home’s ability to regulate temperature, reduce health risks, and lower costs. If the insulation is left for too long, it’s not there to support against those factors and can even potentially contribute to them in some worst cases.

Our team of industry experts at Koala Insulation of Southwest Chicago understands insulation and air sealing aren't necessarily a part of your typical homeowner trivia. While many households have a basic understanding of the material in their attics, this doesn't always translate to the significant support insulation provides to your savings and wellbeing.

We offer free evaluations to provide you and your household with a breakdown of the current condition of your home's material; this gives you the opportunity to make informed decisions that are based on your home's needs while also taking into consideration your schedule and budget. Contact our team today to learn more about the impact insulation and air sealing have on your home and schedule your free evaluation.