When you add roof insulation to your home you expect it to last a lifetime without needing to be replaced. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true. There are some circumstances in which it’ll need replaced or when you must add another layer to it. Knowing when you’ll need more insulation is important.
Settling and Compacting
Although most insulation materials have been designed to maintain their shape for decades, it’s still possible for them to settle and start to press down upon themselves over time. This causes them to become thinner and less strong than they originally were. Fortunately, you won’t need to fully replace your roof insulation here, but you will need to add another layer to it.
Water Leaks Causing Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew pose a serious health risk to everyone who’s living in your home. This is why it’s so important to replace any portions of insulation when you discover that it’s harboring mold spores. Even if you notice that the material has dried out, you need to understand that mold spores can still become airborne. Once this happens, they’ll travel to other areas of your home that are wet. By catching this before it happens, you may only need to replace a small part of your roof insulation which will save you money. This is why you should check your insulation any time you’ve had a plumbing or roof leak. Sometimes sanitizing the area can prevent mold and mildew from growing.
Thin Material
Sometimes you may need to add more insulation because your home doesn’t have enough of it. This is especially true if you have an older home that was insulated before the government set standards for it. Any new homes that are built today are required by the U.S. Dept. of Energy to have a specific level of insulation based upon where in the country the home is located. For those living in Florida, it’s important to have 10 – 15 inches of roof insulation. This will prevent your home from heating up too fast then you know you need more insulation. If you’re uncertain, you can have a technician come to your home and measure the amount of insulation your home already has.
Outdated Insulating Becomes Decayed
When you’re living in an older home, it’s also possible for the insulating material to have been made from fibers that are able to decay. This is because older insulation was sometimes made of wool and cotton – materials that don’t have as long of a lifespan as the fiberglass that’s used today. When the materials are no longer working, your home may be too hot or cold so you must replace the insulation.
Conclusion
For many years now Done Rite Insulation has been offering insulation services to the communities of Tampa, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, Palm Harbor, and Oldsmar. If you’ve noticed any of these issues with your roof insulation, you should give us a call to get your free quote. Once you do, you’ll see why we’re the preferred providers for homeowners in your area.
