Does Your Attic Insulation Need to Be Upgraded? Here’s What to Look For 

Not sure whether you need better insulation in your attic? These are some of the most common signs that it’s time for an upgrade.

1. There Is No Insulation in Your Attic 

The most obvious sign that you need more attic insulation is that you don’t have any (or have very little). Most houses have some attic insulation but may have an inadequate amount or there may be significant gaps. Older houses are especially prone to this issue and may have zero insulation. Take a look in your attic—if you can’t immediately tell that it’s insulated, you probably need more. 

2. High Energy Bills 

Insulation is the key to an energy efficient home. If you don’t have enough insulation, you will use more energy to heat and cool your home, driving up your bills. There are many other factors that can impact your energy bills, but if they’re out of control, you should have your insulation checked out to determine whether it’s the problem. 

3. Hot & Cold Spots in Your House 

Is there one room in your house that’s always way too hot or way too cold? Gaps in your attic insulation can cause this, especially on your second floor. When one part of your attic is not insulated properly, the space below it may feel the effects. Installing more insulation can solve the problem. 

4. Ice Dams in the Winter 

Ice dams are a sign of poor attic insulation. Ice dams form when heat escapes through your attic and melts the snow on your roof, which then flows toward the colder edges of the roof and refreezes, creating a dam that blocks future snowmelt from draining away from your home. Water then pools behind the dam and can drain back into your house, causing serious damage. Attic insulation can help stop this from happening by preventing heat from escaping through the roof

5. Wet or Moldy Insulation 

When insulation gets wet, it becomes ineffective. Worse, it can grow mold. Mold spores will then travel down into your living spaces, which is not good for your family’s health, especially if someone in your household has allergies or an existing respiratory condition like asthma. If your attic insulation is wet or moldy, it needs to be replaced.

6. Insulation Is Compressed 

Compression is often a sign that the insulation is old or that it wasn’t installed correctly. Either way, you should have your attic insulation inspected if it’s compressed to determine whether you need to upgrade it. Typically, new insulation can be installed directly over the compressed sections. 

7. Insulation Is Dirty 

Dirty insulation may be a sign that your attic has not been properly air sealed, which means outside air is flowing freely through your insulation and into your home. This reduces the overall effectiveness of your insulation and it also makes your home vulnerable to contaminants; outdoor air can bring dust, dirt, pollen, and more inside. If your insulation looks dirty, have it inspected to find out whether it needs to be upgraded.