Attic Preparation Before Winter

Foam Guys Calhoun soon as the leaves fall and the temperatures begin to drop, homeowners across 757 start creating lists of outdoor tasks, like turning off spigots, rolling up hoses and cleaning out gutters. But it’s also important to make sure your home is ready for the transition to colder weather by tackling indoor tasks, like adding attic insulation.

An insulated attic can help keep the heated air in living spaces for longer and reduce costly energy waste. It can also help alleviate the formation of dangerous ice dams during cold weather. But it’s crucial to pair attic insulation with professional air gap sealing to fully reap these benefits.

Uninsulated attics can lose a great deal of heat due to the fact that warm air rises. That means if you don’t have enough attic insulation, the heat you spend on heating your home will escape right through your roof and into the outside. In addition, your HVAC system will work harder than necessary to heat your home, resulting in higher utility bills.

If your attic is already insulated, check to ensure the amount of insulation meets EPA recommendations. If your attic has vermiculite insulation, make sure it isn’t damaged or covered in debris. It’s also a good idea to have it tested for asbestos, as it may contain this toxic mineral.

Adding additional insulation to your attic is a moderately challenging do-it-yourself project, and it can save you money on energy costs. But be aware that if you are going to add loose fill cellulose or spray foam, it’s best to hire a qualified insulation contractor. They will use a blowing machine to apply the insulation and may be able to seal leaks as well.