THE EAST VALLEY Blog

DIY Home Insulation: Cheap Now, Costly Later

As a homeowner, saving on home-improvements is always a top priority. We know how tempting it can be to want to do a project yourself. Even major retailers like Home Depot encourage home-owners to take on various projects independently by providing an entire marketing strategy dedicated to DIY projects. However, when it comes to home insulation, it’s best to seek out professional help. The complexity of insulation projects can pose hazards and lead to unexpected costs, making it a job best left to experienced professionals.

Home Damage

Inspection is the first step when installing insulation. A professional can step into your attic, and quickly detect mold and mildew growth, structural damage, and even an infestation. After an initial inspection, we will have the right idea in terms of what your home needs and how to get started. There are many types of insulation materials, and certain areas of your home may need a specific type of material. A professional will make the right choice for all areas of your home and install the insulation correctly.

An individual attempting a DIY insulation project may lack the knowledge and expertise needed for a thorough inspection. This can result in unintentional damage to their home, either through incorrect installation techniques or from using the wrong insulation materials. Without access to the proper materials, a DIY enthusiast may accidentally leave gaps during the installation process, allowing air to escape. A bad insulation job increases the risk of excess moisture in your home which causes the growth of mold and mildew, and may even cause structural damage to the property.

Risk of Injury

The installation of insulation is a tedious task involving labor, potential hazards, and a considerable amount of mess, which is why you should leave it to the pros. Because this is a risky job, it’s important to implement proper safety measures, as well as proper use of correct equipment to avoid injury. When you choose to do a DIY project, you’re putting your safety on the line and run the risk of potential serious injury. 

Trained installers must wear protective gear when entering an environment filled with hazardous fibers. They must also be extremely careful of where they are stepping, as one wrong move can result in falling through the attic floor. Additionally, understanding and correctly using insulation tools can be challenging, and any misuse could potentially result in accidents and injuries.

Health Risks

Without adequate protective gear, a DIYer runs the risk of breathing in insulation materials that contain harmful chemicals that may pose a serious threat to their health. Improper installation can lead to "chemical off-gassing," which is the release of toxic chemicals and vapors. Inhaling these substances may result in breathing difficulties, throat irritation, and severe allergic reactions. Additionally, direct contact with the eyes and skin exposes individuals to the insulation materials, causing significant irritation.

A DIY enthusiast also faces the potential exposure to asbestos, especially in older homes. This is because many older homes built before 1990 had vermiculite insulation installed, which contains asbestos. Inhalation of asbestos fibers poses severe health risks, including the development of cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer due to its highly carcinogenic nature. When handling the insulation yourself, you can easily disperse asbestos fibers into the air, increasing the risk of exposure for everyone in the house. Because asbestos is highly dangerous, it is best to call a professional to remove and dispose of the asbestos safely without harming both humans and the environment. 

Attics can reach over 180 degrees in the summer in Arizona areas. Exposing yourself to these high temperatures, even for a short period of time, can cause heat-related issues. Operating in a high temperature environment is not very enjoyable, and we frequently encounter projects that have been started but not finished because a DIYer found it too challenging and opted to seek out professional help.

What Koala of East Valley Can Do

Home insulation is not a quick and easy DIY job. It is a highly dangerous and tedious job that needs to be handled by trained professionals. When you choose Koala of East Valley to handle your home insulation, you’re choosing quality assurance, health, and safety. A DIY job may cost you more money in the long run due to home damages, health risks, and injuries. Let our team of experienced professionals handle your insulation job. We’ll get it done right and even help lower costs of your energy bills. Contact us today to set up a FREE home evaluation. Call us at (480)-900-7274 or book your evaluation here!