Homeowner’s insurance covers the cost of fixing many of the problems that can arise in an aging home. It may cover water damage caused by a leaky roof, damage to interior pipes that burst due to age or poor insulation, and fire damage caused by faulty electrical wiring. While every policy is different, most homeowner’s […]
This pictures shows an attic with blown in insulation, (Cellulose), after a contractor entered the attic and accidentally stepped on a fire sprinkler. The line snapped nearly in half and hundreds of gallons of water and anti-freeze, flooded the attic and the rooms below. The water made it’s way down two floors and caused over […]
Whether you live in a warm-weather state, as I do, or in a cooler northern climate, it’s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don’t have adequate insulation in the attic. But many homeowners I talk with don’t know how much is enough. The answer depends on where you […]
Whether you live in a warm-weather state, as I do, or in a cooler northern climate, it’s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don’t have adequate insulation in the attic. But many homeowners I talk with don’t know how much is enough. The answer depends on where you […]
To take the chill out of a crawl space, it’s usually best to insulate the exterior masonry walls rather than the underside of the floor above. That’s especially true when heating ducts or pipes pass through the space. Unless there are excessive moisture problems in the crawl space, use unfaced fiberglass batts to insulate the […]
There’s a lot more to insulation then simply deciding which type may be the best for you. Here’s some tips you should consider along your way: Consider factors such as your climate, home design, and budget when selecting insulation for your home. Use higher R-value insulation, such as spray foam, on exterior walls and in […]
Insulation is made from a variety of materials, and it usually comes in four types: rolls and batts, loose-fill, rigid foam, and foam-in-place. Rolls & Batts Rolls and batts — or blankets — are flexible products made from mineral fibers, such as fiberglass and rock wool. They are available in widths suited to standard spacing […]
Here’s Photo 1 showing an attic with extensive mold growth due to over insulating an attic. Another issue is poor ventilation, and you can clearly see water marks and saturation on the joist. The photo also shows several layers of insulation on top of insulation. This resulted in nearly $10,000 worth of remediation.
Solutions The damage caused by ice dams can be controlled in 2 ways: Maintain the entire roof surface at ambient outdoor temperatures or build a roof so that it can’t leak into sensitive building materials if an ice dam forms. Cold roofs make a lot of sense. Here you let the cold outdoor air work […]