Does Your Attic Have Issues?
Since 2011, we’ve corrected building envelope issues in more than 2,000 homes for homeowners, homebuilders and property management companies. As attic experts, we’re not just an insulation company. We assess the entire building envelope and look for opportunities to increase the efficiency of your attic system. After a complete inspection, we work together with clients to create unique plans based on their needs and budget. After more than five years in business and 40-plus years of experience in the construction industry, we’ve seen it all.
Following are three of the most common issues we’ve found in attics and how they affect your home.
1. Compromised Vapour Barriers
One of the most common issues we’ve found in attics is vapour barrier breaches, causing ugly brown spots to appear on your ceiling. The vapour barrier is the first line of defence between the air in your home and the air in your attic. If the vapour barrier is compromised (tears, holes or deteriorated) it can result in condensation, mold or even complete structural failure (rotten/moldy sheathing).
Common areas in a home’s design can lead to breaches in the vapour barrier: light fixtures, sewer stacks, chimney chases, and dropped ceilings. Any form of staining around these areas is likely a sign that your vapour barrier requires expert attention.
2.Ventilation
Another common issue is inadequate ventilation systems. This includes your roof vents and intake ventilation from your soffits. Even though your soffit may appear to be venting through perforated tin, we often find homes with soffit pan installed directly over the original plywood. This blocks any fresh air from entering your attic and venting out the roof vents.
The number of roof vents isn’t random either; there is a connection between the number of roof vents, the size of your home, and the amount of soffit ventilation. If your home doesn’t have enough roof or soffit ventilation, this can lead to trapped moisture in the attic assembly, compromising your insulation and potentially turning into mold.
3. Low/Uneven insulation
Insulation keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer — but inadequate insulation results in condensation. The warm humid air in your home condenses on cold areas with low insulation. Over time, this cycle can result in mold behind walls or in your attic. Low insulation can be the result of a few things, such as over-ventilated soffits, creating wind in the attic that blows insulation around or insulation that has become wet from condensation in the attic. Foot traffic from renovations (such as new pot lights, new hood range) can compress also insulation, creating a cold spot.
Your trusted attic expires know what to do. Our complimentary and complete home analysis, includes attic inspection. We can diagnose issues using our thermal imaging cameras and provide you a full report on site after the complete inspection. Our professionally trained staff will provide you with solutions to ensure your home functions at the highest and most efficient level possible.
Call today to request your complimentary inspection and assessment.
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Ultimate Insulation - The Attic Experts
306.205.7366
service@ultimateinsulation.ca