You may think that attic insulation’s only purpose is to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. But attic insulation does more than that. It is a key part of your home’s livelihood.
Living in Minnesota means we’re all familiar with the weather changes, but how does your attic insulation affect the other parts of your home?
Midwest Exteriors MN is here to explain just how important attic insulation is to your roof.
High-Quality Insulation Is Necessary
Many types of insulation are available, and each can serve different purposes and work in different areas of your home. Whichever kind of insulation you choose to put in your attic, ensure it’s a quality brand.
Old insulation does not work as well as newer insulation, so it is important to keep your insulation updated. Critters, dust, and other problems can degrade your insulation to the point where it’s not working for you anymore.
So just how does your insulation affect your roof?
Ice Dams
Ice dams are chunks of ice that form at the edge of your roof. During the winter, when snow falls, if you have improper or out-of-date insulation, the warm air from your home will move upwards to the roof, melting the accumulated snow.
The melted snow will trickle down your roof and refreeze at the edge of your roof and in your gutters. While you may think the icicles hanging over your roof are pretty, they’re a sign of a problem. Ice dams can damage your shingles and gutters and cause water to pool in places that could cause a leak.
Ice dams can also put stress on your roof. Proper insulation in your attic will help keep the warm air inside your living space rather than leak out through the roof.
Cost of Energy Bills
As we’ve mentioned, improper insulation allows warm air to escape through your home’s roof. If you have high-quality insulation, then the warm air is more likely to stay within your living space.
Old or damaged insulation can cause warm air to escape continually, which increases your energy bills. Replace your insulation and see your energy bills drop.
Moisture & Mold
Moisture can form in your attic if you don’t have proper insulation. Moisture causes mold to build up in your attic, which can affect the structural integrity of your roof. Proper and high-quality insulation wicks away moisture, which helps keep your attic dry and free from mold.
With proper insulation, your attic will not be prone to rapid temperature changes, which also affects the integrity of your roof.
When It’s Time to Upgrade Your Insulation
There are some telltale signs of bad insulation, and you should be on the lookout for these signs.
Some include:
● High energy bills
● Icicles and ice dams
● Drafty rooms and inconsistent temperatures
● Old and tattered-looking insulation
You can also hire a professional to check your attic insulation to make sure it’s in good condition. Keeping your attic insulation up-to-date will protect your roof, which is one of the most expensive things to replace in your home.
Already See Problems? Call Us to Repair Your MN Roof
If your attic is old and you’re already seeing problems with your roof, it’s very important to contact a professional roofing company like Midwest Exteriors MN to repair your roof. You definitely do not want the problems on your roof to get worse because it will cost even more to replace.
If you see leaks or mold, be sure to call us at 651-346-9477 or send us a message on our website. We can also handle emergency storm repairs, so don’t delay!