There comes a point in time when insulation needs to be replaced, especially if you live in a home that’s decades old. When should you add new insulation in your Austin-area home, and is it necessary to remove the old? This is something many homeowners wonder about. We’ll address these issues below.
Insulation lasts a long time, but like every other component of your home it doesn’t last for an eternity. If your home is fairly new (10 years old or so) you probably don’t have anything to worry about at this point. However, if your home was built in the 70s, 80s or even longer ago, it’s a good idea to have your insulation checked out. Why?
Old insulation tends to sag after so many years, and it can even become infested with rodents. In addition, if there’s a leak somewhere in your home the insulation may become wet depending on where the leak is, which will result in mold and mildew and possibly the rotting of studs or other components of your home’s structure. This is why it’s important to have it checked out if you have any concerns.
Is it necessary to remove old insulation before having new insulation installed in your Central Texas home? In most cases you can leave the old, unless it is wet or has been wet at some point in the past. As long as the old insulation hasn’t been exposed to moisture, you can install rolled, batt or blown cellulose or fiberglass loose-fill insulation over the old. One important thing to note: in the attic, there should be no “face” or vapor retarder installed over the insulation that’s already in place when installing rolled or batt insulation as this can result in moisture being trapped.
If you live in a two-story home you may notice the upper floor feel substantially warmer than the first level, particularly during warmer spring and summer months. This may be an indication the attic needs additional insulation.
Whether it’s time for new insulation and if it’s possible to install it over the old depends on several factors. At HabiShield our Austin insulation professionals can assess the situation and help you determine whether the old needs to be removed, and which type of insulation (blown in or loose fill, batted and rolled, spray foam, etc.) is best for your particular needs. Give us a call today for a more comfortable, energy efficient home regardless of the season!