Batt or rolled insulation or blown loose fill insulation fiberglass or cellulose can be installed on top of old insulation.
Do you have to replace attic insulation.
Attic spaces have low hanging ceilings and flooring that s not the sturdiest.
Don t do this job yourself.
Attempting to inspect or replace the insulation yourself can cause injury.
In a perfect world you d hire an energy auditor to tell you exactly how much protection you re getting from the few inches of attic insulation you may already have and to pinpoint things like air leaks that you can seal to make sure your insulation will do its job well.
You should also replace insulation if your roof has had a leak or you suspect water has gotten into the insulation.
Dirty attic insulation on the other hand could have been the result of pests like rodents and birds that contaminated the insulation which can lead to an unhealthy home.
If you think your attic insulation needs replacing contact local roofing contractors.
But if you can t afford to shell out a few hundred bucks for this service.
In that case you may need to replace insulation after the roofer removes the decking boards.
What to do if your insulation is bad.
Your cavity insulation sits below that decking against your roof s studs and sheathing.
If either of these situations are the case it s time to remove insulation from attic spaces to maximize the safety and energy efficiency of your house.
Since the 1970s insulation manufacturers have greatly improved their products to keep more heat or cold in and save you more energy.
Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all.
So there s really no need to do anything to the insulation in your attic unless you have some sort of damage on your decking.
A rule of thumb visible floor joints mean you don t have enough insulation experts say.
Attic floor insulation works as the main barrier to prevent heat from escaping when it spreads to the attic through a process called thermal flow.
If you have an older home chances are the attic insulation is the same insulation that was installed when the house was built.