subject: Home Insulation: Evaluating The Attic [print this page] Making an effort to inspect home insulation requires more than just poking your head up in the attic and taking a look around. Even poking around a little won't help. It is important to look around at several different areas and determine whether or not you need to add more. Be careful as you make your way up to the top of the house. These areas of the building are not usually used, and often the only way up is a small or rickety set of stairs.
Remember that a local professional can handle the evaluation and help you determine if you have adequate home insulation. If you are not sure about what needs to be done, schedule an appointment with someone that can handle the inspection and any changes or repairs that the house needs. Typically, his or her services will not be exclusive to the attic.
Determine How Much You Need
Every house is different, so there is no magic number that will work when you figure out how much insulation you need. Some houses have a larger attic space while others have much less. The climate, yearly temperatures, as well as the type of roof can all factor into what the structure needs.
How Much Do You Have?
As you look around the attic, there are ways to tell if your house is well insulated. One of the most obvious signs that your home needs more is if the main wooden beams that run across the attic are exposed. In most homes, these should be completely covered up. If you want a more exact idea, consider bringing up a ruler to the attic and measure at least six inches from the floor. If the insulation is not up to this level, you need more.
Decide on a Method of Installation
If your current situation is inadequate, you need to fix it as soon as possible. A drafty house greatly reduces energy efficiency. Once again, this may be something that you want to leave up to the professionals. It is one thing to get up in the attic and take a look around. It is another thing to get rid of older material and handle the new installation. Even if you work with a few friends, this is not easy work.
The temperatures in the attic tend to be high and if you are not used to it, you could struggle through the process. Even if you are in the middle of installing your own home insulation, if you think that you are not going to be able to complete the work or you run into a safety concern, consider calling a professional right away to come and take over the job.
