Pursuing insulation installation for your attic is one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient. However, you will not enjoy these benefits if there are mistakes made in the process. Since it is possible to lose 60 percent of your home’s heating or cooling through the attic, this is not a job to finish as a quick do-it-yourself project over a day. Here are five common mistakes with attic insulation installation in Ontario—and how to avoid them:
- Failing to use enough insulation: Homeowners frequently fail to buy enough insulation for their project. They use online calculators that may not consider strange-shaped spaces or vaulted ceilings. Or, while attempting to save costs, they underestimate the size of their attic. Whether installation was a rushed do-it-yourself job or a homeowner chose a contractor on price rather than skill, the result is missed spots. It is not uncommon for a home inspection to reveal that 20 to 50 percent of attic insulation is missing. Caution is the only solution here; if you insist on completing this on your own, buy more than you need rather than risk not having enough. If you hire a contractor, find one with the right credentials and good references rather than going for the lowest bid.
- Leaving behind old insulation: Insulation is an all or nothing matter. If replacing the insulation in your attic, you must remove all the previous insulation. Older insulation may attract mold and rodents, which transfers its flaws to your new installation. We sometimes see this when a homeowner did not purchase enough insulation and attempted to “make do” with remaining older insulation. Avoid this practice for all projects.
- Strange ceiling shapes: If your attic is over an embellished or vaulted ceiling, you face additional challenges. Failure to cover every crevice results in air leaks and energy waste. This is not a good approach if you are hoping to save on utilities! For these unique features, you require a skilled contractor to install the insulation. Only experience will provide the right fit to prevent air leaks.
- Mishandling the access point: Insulation must cover every square inch of your attic. It may seem smart to leave the access point uncovered, but that is another source for air leakage. There are techniques for insulating your access point and installing an airtight door if you use your attic frequently. If you have specific needs, call a contractor rather than trying this on your own.
- Attempting a rushed do-it-yourself effort: As you can likely see, installing insulation correctly is often a time-consuming process that requires attention to detail. If it is Sunday night and you must be done before going to work the next day, it will be easy to miss details and still suffer air leaks once you are done. There are conditions that require expertise, and a contractor who performs this work for a living can take the time required to finish the work correctly. This is not a job to rush within a limited time window.
For experienced insulation installation in Ontario, call Chase Insulation to schedule an estimate. We look forward to assisting you!