Your roof is an integral part of your home that is designed to keep outdoor elements at bay. The only problem is that since your roof is out of sight, it is often out of mind. If you do not maintain all elements of your roof, it is possible for leaks or other types of damage to occur, which can mean paying big bucks to a roofing repair Dearborn Michigan company to get your roof back in running order. One element of roof maintenance that many homeowners forget about is insulation. The insulation that is located in your attic plays a role in the overall effectiveness of your roofing system. This means that you need to know when your insulation needs to be replaced. There are a few telltale signs that will help you to know when you need your insulation to be replaced. Some are more obvious than others.
Here are the top signs that your insulation needs to be replaced:
Mold Growth
It is common for the air in your attic to be muggy, but mold growth is not something that you should ignore. If your insulation is no longer working properly, it can often lead to the growth of mold due to the buildup in moisture. This means that it is a good idea to have your attic tested regularly for mold growth to make sure that this is not an issue you are dealing with. Mold growth is serious and can be harming to your health, so it is not a sign that should be ignored.
Rodents
You also need to make sure that rodents and other animals are not nesting in your insulation. Over time as your insulation wears, it can be the ideal spot for rodents to nest, but this is not ideal for you and makes your insulation a lot less effective. If you have this issue, it is best to have it replaced with a spray foam insulation that rodents normally do not choose to nest in. Check out this video to see an example of how rodents (in this case, a squirrel) love fiberglass insulation but won’t even touch cellulose insulation.
Loss of Heat
If you notice that heating your home in the winter months is becoming a major issue, you may be dealing with a larger insulation issue. When you can’t keep warm air in the lower levels of your hone, it often means that your attic is not adequately insulated. The best solution is to have your insulation replaced.
Cool Air Escaping
The same is true when you are not able to keep cool air in your home during the summer months. When air seems to be escaping and your HVAC system has to work twice as hard, it is time that you have your insulation inspected. This is always the first sign that something is wrong and it is time to have your insulation replaced.
Time Has Passed
You also need to be aware that your insulation should be replaced over time. This means that if you have not have your insulation replaced, you need to have it inspected because it will become less effective over time and leave your roof vulnerable to wear and damage, which can be avoided.