SOUTH MIAMI Blog

How do I know if my attic insulation needs to be replaced?

When your home insulation starts to age past its prime, you’re in for trouble. The resulting problems come gradually and start small - a slightly higher energy bill (that will continue to increase!), a room that’s just always a little hotter than the rest of the house or even rodents in your attic. Insulation is not a cheap project so you don’t want to change it prematurely either; that’s why it can be difficult to determine when your insulation needs to be replaced. 

Your current insulation and its lifespan

Different types of insulation have different lifespans and react differently to the environmental factors of your area; in our case the humidity of South Miami which also throws a couple storms at us every year. Under the right conditions, some types of insulation can last a lifetime. 

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass Insulation is one of the most popular choices in South Florida as it is both thermally effective and cost-effective. In theory, Fiberglass insulation can last 80 to 100 year before it needs to be replaced. However, to stay fully effective, Fiberglass needs to remain fluffy and light to maintain its R-value. If the insulation material becomes compressed or, even worse, moist, it may have to be replaced. Once moisture (high humidity entering the attic through leaks or rain coming in because of a roofing problem) and mold attack the trusty insulation material, its lifespan reduces down to as little as 15-20 years. 
On average, Fiberglass Batts have a lower lifespan than Fiberglass Blown-In Insulation as insulation material can start falling from the Batts in about 15-20 years. 

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose is the most environmentally friendly insulation material. It’s recycled contents, however, are shortening its lifespan to 20-30 years while the natural degradation process slowly begins as early as 10 years after the installation. Just like other types of insulation, cellulose’s lifespan is also dependent on the weather conditions with humidity and moisture damaging the insulation immensely. 

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray Foam is the most effective and one of the most durable insulation materials. For this reason, and its many more benefits, it has become a favorite in many newly-constructed modern homes. Once put in place, l Spray Foam it does not move or shrink and it also does not absorb water which means that it is not compromised by humidity and leaks. As a result, many people never have to replace their spray foam insulation as it can last a lifetime or longer. 

Even though spray foam is pretty much indestructible, you should still do annual check-ups to make sure that it has not been compromised by inclement weather, critter, construction or other factors and is still working at its full potential.

General factors affecting your insulation’s lifespan 

In general, it is important to be aware of your home’s history. Older houses may be equipped with very old, low-quality or improperly installed insulation. Additionally, they can be hiding serious health risks as old insulation materials sometimes contained asbestos and urea-formaldehyde.The older a house is, the more likely it is that you need to replace your insulation. 

It’s also important to factor in technological advancements as insulation materials today are usually more energy-efficient than the same materials 10-20 years ago. Replacing your insulation, even if it is not deteriorating yet, can save you money on your energy bills because of the higher energy efficiency.

No type of insulation is invincible and there are some factors that can create serious problems and make a replacement more urgently needed:

• Water damage caused by leaks, blown-off shingles, etc.
• Mold Growth caused by high humidity or water damage
• Holes where the insulation was punctured by a storm, an animal, a move, etc.
• Dirt & Dust settling on the insulation
• Animals like insects or rodents damaging the insulation
• Your insulation has just degraded over time

If you’re not sure what condition your insulation is in, have our Koala Insulation of South Miami team go in and take a lot during our free insulation evaluation!

Signs your insulation needs to be replaced

Aside from figuring out the type and age of your insulation, there are many signs that can tell you if your insulation needs to be replaced soon:

• The temperature in your house is uneven or changes often.
• It is difficult to get your home to the right temperature and then keep it there; it seems like your A/C is working overtime to achieve that.
• Your entire home or specific areas are drafty.
• Your energy bill is very high or has been getting higher over the last few months without any changes in your consumption.
• One of your family members is suffering from allergies or other respiratory problems and allergies have been getting worse. 
• You frequently have to deal with moisture problems, condensation or leaks.
• You are having a problem with rats, mice, insects, pests, raccoons or other rodents.
• The insulation itself seems wet, thin or is breaking apart. 
• There are lingering unpleasant odors in your home even after cleaning. This could be due to moisture problems.

If any of these problems sound familiar, it’s time to call Koala Insulation of South Miami for a free insulation evaluation to find out if your insulation needs to be replaced!