What Attic Insulation Problems Does Catalyst Inspections Look for During an Inspection?

Home inspections cover more than making sure the toilets flush, the lights work, and the roof looks healthy. There are even more subtleties though there are many primary points of a home that is naturally inspected. To make the home more energy-efficient, visible insulation is often included as it is necessary. The common issues found in attic insulation is what we at Catalyst Inspections would like to list for you today.

Mildew & Mold in Attic

Mildew and mold growth is one of the most common issues found with insulation. Especially when the home doesn’t have an adequate vapor barrier and there are leaks, mold grows on the roof sheathing above the insulation, spores drop down and mold grows on the dust settled on the insulation. It can prove a health risk to those exposed to it as well as accelerate deterioration on surrounding structural materials when the mold growth develops.

Bugs & Rodents Nest in Insulation

When a number of pests nest in your fiberglass or cellulose insulation, it often takes some time to notice and homeowners are usually none-the-wiser. Using the attic for refuge from the weather, looking for food, or a convenient place to nest, unfinished attics are not usually visited much but they can be by rats, mice, squirrels, bats, and other pests. Contacting a reputable pest control is essential to maintain your family’s health and avoid property damage if you believe you hear pests or have seen activity or evidence of their intrusion. To avoid pest infestations and better protect your insulation, you need to do everything you can. Keeping the food sealed in airtight containers and ensuring the lids on the trash can are secure as well as getting the home properly sealed and removing food by staying on top of housekeeping are the basics. Make sure to inspect the insulation and ensure it is still in healthy condition after the pest control has eliminated the pests.

Uneven Distribution of Insulation

Uneven distribution can compromise the performance of the insulation since traditional insulation can easily drift. Causing the contribution to high energy bills and an uncomfortable home because over time the fiberglass and cellulose can drift or settle comes from leaving your attic insulation with a lower R-Value and prone to air movement. When the insulation is improperly installed it is not evenly distributed, air movement in the home can be produced. The blown cellulose and fiberglass must be regularly maintained by either adding more insulation or raking the insulation already in the attic. In order to minimize the maintenance and it does not settle or lose its shape over time, many homeowners prefer the other options for insulation such as spray foam.

Clogged Attic Vents

When it comes to traditional insulation, efficient ventilation is essential. Allowing the insulation to also be exposed to moisture that led to mold and mildew growth, the airflow becomes restricted with the vents that lead from the attic become blocked. During your maintenance that the cellulose and fiberglass insulation in the attic is not blocking the vents. You can use insulate the roof deck with spray foam insulation to eliminate the risk of blocking the vents.

Home Inspector Services in Loveland, Ft. Collins, Windsor, Greeley, Berthoud, Longmont, & The Colorado Front Range

You can count on us doing a thorough inspection and evidence that points to the visible insulation being compromised is documented in the report when trusting in Catalyst Inspections.