Attic insulation and ventilation may not seem very important, but lack of either in your attic can lead to costly issues and high utility bills. What happens if I don't have enough attic insulation or ventilation? Excess Moisture- Condensation occurs in your attic when hot air rises, gets trapped in the attic and meets the cold roof deck which cuases moisture. Over time, with enough moisture, this can lead to very costly home repairs such as the following: 1. A new roof. Moisture will decrease the life of your roof. It warps the decking which greatlyt affects your shingles. Eventually, you will need a new roof and probably much sooner than you' planned. 2. Rust on metal protrusions in the attic such as HVAC pipes or roofing nails cauisng each to deteriorate, over time. 3. Mold. We all know how expensive this problem can be. IAside from the cost, it's definitely a health hazard to your family. 4. Ice damming. If your home is not properly insulated or ventilated, this could be a major issue for you this winter. Some other costly issues caused by inadequate insulation and ventilation: Interior Damage- If you're lucky and don't experience the above issues, you could still be in for some pricey repairs. When mositure builds up it also travels under the existing insulation and eventually causes damage to your walls or cielings. This can also lead to mold if not caught in time. Insulation Extraction- As we said, moisutre can get under existing insulation. If enough moisutre is present, it may require extraction of the existing insulation which means a lot more money out of pocket. HVAC Units- Attic insulation and ventilation allow your hoome to stay a constant temp and keep the hot/cold air where it should be. Lack of either insulation or ventilation cause a major strain on your HVAC units, causing them to work harder to keep your home at a constant temp. We all know how expensive replacing your HVAC unit can be. Basically, ventilation allows your home to breathe. Proper airflow is one of the most important elements of keeping your home healthy. Your roof, ventilation and insulation all act as a team to keep your home functional. While looking at your winter checklist, pop your head in the attic to check your attic insulaiton. If you need assistance, call us! We'd be happy to provide you with a free evaluation.
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