In northern climates like Washington, having proper attic insulation and ventilation is extremely important to keep your house warm and moisture free. If you have insufficient insulation, you are wasting your heat in the winter and making your heating system work harder. If you have insufficient ventilation, you may be creating a moisture problem, which can be difficult to remedy.
When you have an older home, you probably have old insulation, too. Insulation breaks down over time. According to this latest rent report, upgrading your insulation is one of the best ways to weatherize your home and reduce the cost of your utility bills. But energy costs aren’t the only benefits. In addition to increasing overall comfort, by improving your insulation you will reduce outside noise, reduce allergens and pests in your home and have better humidity control.
Every attic has specific requirements that need to be taken into consideration. Most home in the Pacific Northwest probably don’t have enough insulation. If you look across your attic and see the floor joists, you definitely need more insulation. If you measure the depth of the insulation, you should have about 16” to 18” of insulation. You also need to make sure your insulation has the right R rating. The R rating refers to the resistance to conductive heat flow of a material measured in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value — the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. For Washington homes, fiberglass insulation should have an R-rating of R38 to R49.
Air and water leaks cause damage to the insulation as well as the other building materials in the attic. You might start with a tour of the inside of your home and making a map of potential air leaks. On the map, note the location of cold spots, drafts, lighting fixtures and excessively dusty areas.
When you go up into the attic, look for the big holes first. They will be easier to find and provide the biggest benefits. Look for dirty insulation, which may indicate air flow. Using your map as a guide, look for the sources of leaks:
- Areas that may have open stud cavities leading directly into the attic, like dropped soffits and intersections of exterior walls and attic joists
- Wiring, plumbing and water piping holes
- Attic entrance hatch
- Dropped soffits that are open to the attic
- Recessed lights
- Furnace flue or duct chaseway (the hollow box or wall feature that hides ducts)
You also want to look for leaks from the ductwork and room vents. Once your attic has new insulation has been installed, you should notice that the problems areas on your map have been improved.
When your home is ready for a new roof, repairs, or maintenance, you need a reliable, dependable roof repair company. You count on you roofing contractor to keep your home safe and dry. Guardian Roofing is committed to providing top-quality service, professionalism and workmanship. If you are looking for a roof repair contractor please call us today at 844-499-7822 or complete our online service request form.
