5 Signs You Need Overland Park Wall Insulation Services & More Questions Answered

It’s easy to think that attic insulation is all you will ever need to create a thermal barrier that helps insulate your home and control heat transfer, but wait until you learn more about the nature of our professional Overland Park wall insulation services. Both your interior and exterior walls have insulation installation, serving as air barriers and vapor barriers. Without them, you’d experience air leakage and moisture damage, all of which could lead to structural damage and foundation issues.

As your leading Kansas City insulation company, we are committed to helping our local community improve their home’s energy efficiency by offering high-quality products and services. With insulting walls and attics you can rest assured that heated furnace air won’t rapidly escape and drive up your energy bills.  

At Koala Insulation, we bring many years of experience in this specific industry. All of our insulation pros are certified, background-checked, and fully insured, bringing an average of 10 years of experience, working in the home service and construction industry. When we learned that air infiltration was 40% responsible for a home’s energy loss, we decided to make a change. Today, our knowledgeable Koala Insulation team invites you to learn more about Overland Park wall insulation and how it’s just as important as insulating your attic and other areas of your home. Learn the warning signs that signal new insulation installation is needed and which products may work best for your needs. 

Do I Need Overland Park Wall Insulation?

Ideally, your house is insulated from the roof down to your basement and foundation, which means it includes insulating walls. Ceilings should be insulated in unheated areas, as well as floors that are situated above vented crawl spaces because they are most susceptible to air movement and leaks.

In order to reach optimal thermal performance and comfort and maintain a healthy heating and cooling system, quality Overland Park wall insulation is required. That is because without insulation, a house wouldn’t be entirely protected from the elements. Moisture and wind will always be able to penetrate a property regardless of how thick the walls are. Drywall, concrete, brick, or wood itself doesn’t provide any adequate thermal performance. So, without wall insulation, you’d experience uneven temperatures, a high level of moisture, and uncontrolled air movement.

Overland Park wall insulation services are available for interior and exterior walls:

Interior and Exterior Wall Insulation

Unless you were involved during the construction process of your house siding, you wouldn’t know the type of wall insulation used behind your exterior walls. For optimal thermal performance, the installation process must be completed properly, including air sealing to prevent any gaps and cracks. This way, your outer walls are protected from the elements from seeping through.

During a small energy audit, our certified professionals at Koala Insulation will carefully inspect your current siding and interior structures, such as furring strips, sheathing, and drainage plane, unless you are planning a siding replacement that also requires professional Overland Park wall insulation services. In that case, we’ll be happy to take care of air sealing and wall insulation installation before your new choice of siding is installed.

We mentioned earlier that interior walls do not insulate on their own; furthermore, they aren’t waterproof either and can easily suffer from moisture damage, unless you have Overland Park wall insulation to act as an active vapor barrier. During an inspection, our professionals will check your interior walls’ temperature and check for moisture issues. If damage is evident, you will likely need wall insulation replacement and new drywall panels. However, if your drywall is in good condition but the existing loose-fill insulation is not, we will be able to add another layer of loose-fill without demolishing your drywall.

5 Warning Signs You Need New Overland Park Wall Insulation

Knowing the importance of professional Overland Park wall insulation, we have made a little list of telltale signs that indicate alarm and urgently require your local professionals to investigate.

Cold To Touch

Have you ever felt cold when sitting next to drywall? That is because it is emitting cold air. It could be due to deteriorated or poorly installed wall insulation, exterior water damage or inadequate air sealing. When your insulating walls are no longer doing their job, your expert team at Koala will take a closer look at it.

Air Leakage

It’s more common to experience air leaks by the window or front door where their casings may be cracked or poorly sealed, but it could also be the main systems themselves. Your door’s core components might have deteriorated or your double-glazed windows have lost their insulating properties. Or, you have located an area (typically where drywall meets floor) where cold drafts come in and your heated furnace air leaks out. Air leaks are the leading cause of high energy bills and could also invite moisture problems. 

Basement Walls Are Damp

When you have an unfinished basement, it’s likely that you will experience inconsistencies in temperature and humidity levels, especially if your utility room is uninsulated. During hot, muggy summers in Overland Park, it’s not unusual for property owners to run a dehumidifier in their home’s lower levels, such as their basement. If you experience unpleasant basement odors and moisture, it’s due to rain, groundwater and bad ventilation. But this could be managed with professional waterproofing and basement wall insulation services.

Uneven Indoor Temperature

If your indoor temperature isn’t stable, your first thought might be calling for HVAC repairs. Your local technician will probably check the thermostat, heating element, pilot light, and air ducts for damage, but inefficient Overland Park wall insulation may be the last thing that comes to mind. Although badly insulated attics are reasons for rapid heat loss, your interior wall insulation can cause this exact problem too.

Bubbling Paint

When your drywall paint begins to peel or bubble, you will know it’s related to a high level of humidity. This typically happens in kitchens and bathrooms, but if you see this in the living room or bedroom, you will have a more serious problem to deal with. It could be a plumbing leak, roof leak, or exterior foundation cracks that have invited moisture into your home.

What Types Of Overland Park Wall Insulation Does Koala Offer?

At Koala, we are proud to offer our local communities the best quality internal and external wall insulation materials that include:

• Batt Insulation: Batts are often referred to as blankets and come as pre-cut sheets. They are one of the most popular and common types to use because they are cost-efficient and easy to install. Koala offers three types: fiberglass, rock wool, and denim cotton. 
• Blown-In Insulation: Blown-in (or loose-fill) is another popular type and creates a fluffy layer of cellulose or fiberglass insulation. It’s the only type where you can install a new layer on top of an old layer, as long as there is no water damage or pest infestation evident. This means that during an Overland Park wall insulation, our experts will simply drill a couple of few access holes that allow them to easily blow in a new layer.
• Spray Foam Insulation: Spray foam insulation is by far the most superior material you can use for any area. It’s the only product that can last indefinitely as long as you choose a certified brand and have it installed properly. Spray foam has one of the highest R-values, and you can choose between a closed cell (several layers possible) or an open cell (only one expansive layer).

We understand that this is a huge investment and that choosing the right insulation type can be a headache, which is why we are here to help you determine the type of insulation that will work best for your needs. During a formal in-home inspection, we will answer any questions you may have, followed by a detailed inspection that will help determine which of the above-mentioned products will be your best, cost-effective choice.

Is Overland Park Wall Insulation DIY Friendly?

Unless you have done it before successfully or are a professional drywall installer or home remodeler, we do not recommend insulating walls on your own. While it could turn out to be a success, there is also too much room for failure if small details fall through the cracks (literally!). From taking wrong measurements to missing steps in proper air sealing and vapor barrier installation, you could be using high-quality materials for your Overland Park wall insulation project but missing some nooks and crannies could lead to serious consequences where you might be required to take down your new drywall again to fix the problems behind it.

Since it’s important that you follow local building codes and apply for a building permit from the municipality, it’s critical that you have a certified technician do the job for you, as you would otherwise risk voiding your warranties.

How Do You Complete Overland Park Wall Insulation? And Does It Involve Drywall Demolition?

Of course, the best scenario is when you’re completing a form of home remodel or drywall replacement, where our service technicians have the opportunity to install your Overland Park wall insulation before new drywall is attached to the wall studs. Some of the most important steps of the installation service include a detailed inspection, during which we check for moisture, gaps, and other damages in the wall cavity and other existing layers like the sheathing, drainage plane, and the exterior wall insulation.

In the event of water damage, both your interior and exterior walls will be affected. Costly repairs may involve a drywall and siding replacement and new Overland Park wall insulation installation. If you have standard fiberglass batts or blown-in cellulose in place, they are, by no means, water resistant and need to be taken out before they cause mold growth. During this scenario, it’s inevitable that you will need drywall demolition.

However, if you have existing walls that appear to be in good condition but have deteriorated cellulose insulation, there is a good chance that we can install new loose-fill via an access hole. This way, no demolition is required and your insulating walls will recover their functions.  

Is Basement Insulation Important?

Yes, it’s just as important as the rest of your home. Unfortunately, unfinished basements are prone to thermal bridging, which means that they are most susceptible to heat loss due to a high level of thermal conductivity. If you don’t have insulating walls in your basement, and you experience a high level of dampness, you could risk a series of issues down the road, from mold growth to pest infestation and rotting wood. This makes it very important to have insulating walls on the inside of your basement.

However, before your Overland Park wall insulation service, we recommend consulting a licensed plumbing professional to inspect your basement and utility systems, as well as waterproof your basement walls and around the windows. Waterproofing will eliminate that foul basement odor and help you control the humidity levels and air quality. Once exterior moisture is stopped from invading your basement, Overland Park wall insulation will improve thermal balance and create a livable space with stable indoor temperature and air quality. Taking care of the floors and ceilings is also a huge part of the overall project.

Need Efficient Overland Park Wall Insulation Services?

Let your local experts help you do it right the first time without wasting any time and money. Hire one of our Koala Insulation pros at 816-929-8255 today and see what we can do for you to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable.

We proudly serve the residents of Overland Park and all of South Kansas City neighborhoods, such as Lee’s Summit and Olathe. 

While you’re here, why not learn about our professional solar attic fans and general contractor partnerships?