How to check the health of your insulation
Home insulation has a long lifespan, but it needs to be checked regularly for damage and to ensure its effectiveness.
Unfortunately, the health of insulation is not something we think of after it’s been installed. However, your insulation can be damaged by the likes of vermin, roof leaks and strong weather. And it’s not just your home’s energy efficiency and electricity bills that are impacted, your family’s health could be at risk too.
Signs your insulation may need replacing
There are often indications in the home that insulation is no longer working optimally. However, these tend to build up over time which can make it difficult to identify.
If you have been seeing the following signs in your home, you may need to replace your insulation:
- Your monthly electricity consumption has been steadily growing. This may be due to your home’s heating and cooling requirements increasing.
- You can feel a slight draught in your home even when all the windows and doors are closed.
- Your rooms take longer to heat or cool, and it is becoming harder to maintain desired temperatures.
- There is not much difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures.
- Family members are being affected by allergies and/or bronchial infections.
Insulation inspection
In South Africa, the main area where we install insulation is in the roof, as this is where most of a home’s heat is lost.
Get up into the roof and check for the following elements:
- Can you feel a draught in the roof space? This could mean that you have holes or loose roofing material. Not only can these types of leaks damage your insulation, but they can also result in structural damage to the house. Prioritise repairs to avoid escalating electricity and repair costs down the line.
- Check that your insulation is spread evenly and snuggly across the ceiling and no gaps are evident. Using a ruler at different areas of your insulation, check that the depth has not dropped below 270mm for optimal performance.
- With the help of a bright light, conduct a visual check of every area of insulation for water stains. Water-logged insulation is unable to act as a heat barrier.
- Pay close attention to any signs of mould as this is a sign of insulation that needs replacing and can result in health problems for the family.
- Keep an eye out for any damage that might have been done to your insulation by vermin such as rats, mice and birds. Secure insulation back in place if possible or contact an insulation contractor to repair necessary sections.
- Ensure that all downlights are still protected by proper covers. Downlights can generate as much as 300˚C heat leading to spontaneous combustion of even the most fire-resistant insulation. These covers prevent insulation from coming into direct contact with the downlights while featuring holes to allow the built-up heat to disperse.
Other areas of the home that may also be insulated include below wooden flooring and wall-to-wall carpeting as well as drywall partitions. These areas are less easy for a homeowner to check for health, however, if you are feeling draughts in your home or you know of potential water damage, it is a good idea to get an insulation specialist to come out and do an energy efficiency check on your home.
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