Six Winter Specific Insulation Problems
In the winter months, the internal temperature of your home is dramatically different from that outdoors. For this reason, home insulation deficiencies can be easier to spot. If you’re experiencing any of the below scenarios, it’s a silent signal from your home that more insulation, ventilation, and attic air sealing are likely needed.
Chilly Rooms & Floors: If exterior air can make its way into your home, it’s not long before floors become unbearably cold and rooms are much cooler than normal. The rooms that are the most susceptible to lower winter temperatures are most often above the garage or right below the attic.
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Pricey Heating Bills: If your home energy bills skyrocket in the winter months, it’s a signal that your furnace is running more than it should. Not only does this cost you more money, but it also puts unnecessary strain on your furnace, making it more likely that it will wear out faster than it should.
Ice Dams: An ice dam is a layer of ice that forms on a roof edge. Rather than permitting the melting snow to exit the roof, the blanket of ice backs up onto the roof, below the shingles, into the soffits, and then into your home’s interior. Inconsistent roof temperatures and lackluster insulation and ventilation are responsible for the formation of ice dams.
Frozen Pipes: If pipes within your home’s walls freeze in the winter, it’s a red flag that your insulation could be improved upon. Proper levels of insulation on your home’s exterior walls ensure that pipes do not burst, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Wet Attic Insulation: During the wintertime, the stack effect causes exterior air to be drawn in through crevices in your basement and then rechanneled up the walls of your home. The air leaves your attic through unsealed areas, but not before creating frost due to the temperature variances. As temperatures heat up, the frost liquifies, ruining your attic insulation and creating mold. The process of attic air sealing in tandem with correct insulation levels will curtail air from escaping the home.
Cold Air Coming in Through Wall Outlets: When exterior air can filter indoors, air infiltration occurs. A common spot air can leak through in older homes is through the light switches and wall outlets located on exterior walls. When this occurs, it’s a sign more insulation is needed.
