Insulation Company in White Bear Lake MN | When should Insulation be Replaced?
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass Insulation can typically last anywhere from 80 to 100 years. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the age of your insulation isn’t always a good indicator of when you need to replace it. For example, there are many factors that can affect how long fiberglass lasts, such as: The quality of the insulation itself, the environment where it’s installed, the amount of moisture and air flow around your insulation, and whether regular inspections and maintenance were preformed. If you want to learn more about Insulation Company in White Bear Lake MN, reach out to our insulation experts at Century Insulation.
Spray Foam Insulation
Like Fiberglass insulation, spray foam insulation usually lasts between 80 and 100 years. Although it’s made of polyurethane, which is typically considered more resistant to degradation than fiberglass insulation, spray foam is still a very delicate material. It’s important to keep in mind that the age of spray foam isn’t always a good indicator of when you need to replace it. For example, there are many factors that can affect how long spray foam lasts, such as: The quality of the insulation itself, the environment where it was installed and what type of materials were used when installing your home’s exterior walls.
Cellulose Insulation
Because it is made primarily of recycled materials, cellulose insulation does slowly lose its insulating properties. Because of this, it has a much shorter lifespan than cellulose or spray foam- lasting only between 20 and 30 years. Worse, degradation of cellulose insulation starts as soon as 15 years after its initial installation. Some people see this as a benefit, as they know that this type of insulation won’t fill up landfills for centuries to come with chemically-imbued materials. However, others would rather have a product that lasts longer than 20-30 years. Cellulose insulation is also more difficult to install than other types of insulation, which can make it less appealing for homeowners who don’t want to spend extra time or money on installation.
Water Damage
While any of the above insulations could last as long as the years listed, that doesn’t mean they will. For instance, water damage can lead to early degradation of any insulation. While many of these insulations are waterproof or water resistant, that doesn’t mean that persistent and repeated exposure to water will not result in permanent water damage. Just like any other part of your home, if water gets into your attic, it can cause serious problems. The insulation will not be able to do its job if it’s wet and compromised, so the longer you wait for repairs or replacement, the more damage will occur.
Fire Damage
If your attic has been damaged by fire, you should have it inspected immediately. The insulation will be ruined, but there are other parts of the structure that may also need repair or replacement.
Mold Damage
Mold damage is a problem that most homeowners are aware of and take seriously, but it’s often overlooked when it comes to attics. Mold can cause serious health problems, so if you have mold in your attic, act quickly to remove it. If you don’t have the time or skills needed to do this yourself, hire a professional. Mold can grow anywhere where your home has insulation, even if many of these materials are mold resistant. In this case, even if your insulation is mostly in good condition, you’ll have to remove most if not all of it to avoid spreading toxic spores throughout your home.
Maintenance
In order to use your insulation for as long as it can be, you’ll want to have a professional insulation contractor inspect it semi-regularly for signs of damage and/or mold growth. If there are areas of your home that need more attention, they can supplement your existing insulation and make sure your home stays in peak condition for as long as possible.
Improper Installation
Nothing makes insulation break down quicker than improper insulation. If your insulation is not installed properly, it will not do its job as well as it should. This means that you’ll have to replace it sooner than you anticipated. The best way to avoid this problem is by hiring an experienced insulation contractor who knows how to install quality insulation for a reasonable price.
At Century Insulation, our goal is to keep your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer. We offer services in Fiberglass Insulation, Cellulose Insulation, Spray Foam Insulation, Attic Insulation, Waterproofing, Energy Insulation Rebates, and more! Have a question about our services? Check out our FAQ page to find an answer, or contact us for more help. Our experts provide insulation services all throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. Check below for a full list of locations we service!
We offer our expert insulation services in the following cities in Minnesota:
Minneapolis| Roseville| St Paul| Coon Rapids| Brooklyn Park| Minnetonka| Edina| Woodbury| Lakeville| Eden Prairie| Fridley| Maplewood| Shoreview| Arden Hills| Mounds View| Maple Grove| Shakopee| Chanhassen| Rogers| Plymouth| Golden Valley| Victoria| Champlin| Chaska| Prior Lake| Savage| Hopkins| Andover| St Louis Park| New Brighton| Apple Valley| Burnsville| Ramsey| Anoka| Crystal| Ham Lake| Bloomington | Blaine| New Hope| Richfield| Spring Lake Park| Columbia Heights| Brooklyn Center| Eagan| Little Canada| Mendota Heights| Oakdale| Vadnais Heights| White Bear Lake| Stillwater| Centerville| Falcon Heights| Forest Lake| Gem Lake| Hugo| Lino Lakes| Lauderdale| Mahtomedi| North Oaks| Wyoming| Hudson| Lake Elmo| Grant| Bayport| Newport| Pine Springs| Inver Grove Heights| Rosemount| Orno| St Cloud| Brooklyn Park| St Michael| St Anthony| Hastings