Attic Insulation & RESTORATION SERVICES
The appropriate amount of insulation inside your attic will be an investment for your energy bills. Attics are one of the easiest areas in a home in which to install insulation, especially if you just want to add to your current level of insulation (also known as "capping").
Before you decide whether to add insulation into your attic, please visit the U.S. Department of Energy's site to determine whether your current attic insulation measures up to the national requirement. There is a decent likelihood that it does not match current government recommendations.
Our technicians can measure your existing attic insulation during our Animal Entry inspections and let you know if there are additional insulation requirements to meet the minimum. There are a lot of insulation materials that can be difficult to work with and problematic to handle. Critter Control of Westland's professionals can help you restore and perfect your attic insulation level. We can also remove damaged insulation.
Warning: If you suspect you might have vermiculite insulation in your attic, there's a good chance it likely contains asbestos. Do not attempt to handle it. Only attic insulation contractors that are certified to handle asbestos should attempt this type of work.
Here are a few tips for insulation pre-installation. Consider these before beginning your insulation:
- Make certain that you seal any leaks that happen where the attic meets the home. Much of attic insulation will not stop airflow.
- Exhaust fans should be ducted to the outside. Utilize a tightly constructed box to cover the fan housing on attic side. Seal around the duct where it exits the box. Seal the outside of the box to the drywall on attic side.
- Cover any openings — like dropped ceilings, soffits, and bulkheads — that lead into attic area with plywood and seal to the attic side of the ceiling.
- Seal around the exterior of chimney and framing with a high-temperature caulk or furnace cement.
- On the top of interior walls, use long-life caulk to seal smaller gaps and holes. Use expanding foam or strips of rigid foam board insulation for the bigger gaps.
- Install blocking (metal flashing) to maintain fire-safety clearance requirements (typically 3 inches) for heat-producing equipment found in an attic, such as flues, chimneys, exhaust fans, and light housings/fixtures unless the light fixtures are IC (insulation contact) rated. IC-rated lights are airtight and should be covered with insulation.
- Make sure insulation doesn't block soffit vents. It is important to allow sufficient attic ventilation.
- Check the attic ceiling for water stains or marks. They indicate roof leaks or lack of ventilation. Make any repairs before you insulate. Moist insulation is ineffective and can even cause damage to your home.
- Make sure to insulate and air-seal your attic access if it's in an air-conditioned part of the house. It's also important to properly insulate and air seal any knee walls — vertical walls with attic space directly behind them — in your home.
- Lastly, if you're building a new home (or remodeling), be sure that any attic decking that provides additional storage space or a platform for an HVAC unit or hot water tank, is raised above the ceiling joists to ensure the ideal depth of insulation. The decking should be installed safely to the top of the raised lumber after the insulation has been installed.
Call the professionals at (734) 237-8692 for all your attic insulation needs.
RESTORING ATTICS, REPAIRING ATTICS & REPAIRING Chimney Services
You removed the problem animals from your Westland attic, but you're not quite done yet. Nuisance animals in your attic can cause serious problems that don't even occur to most residents. Many of these animals carry ectoparasites, which may be on the prowl for a new host after their wildlife host has been removed. Unfortunately, humans make great hosts for these ectoparasites, so it's important to take proper precautions to make sure these parasites are not successful. Mice, bats, and raccoons are all infamous for carrying parasites into homes.
Ask our Wildlife Management Specialists to inspect your attic and treat for these critters, after your problem species is removed.
And what about the droppings left behind in your attic? Is this something you want hanging above your head at night when you sleep? Raccoons are known for using a single spot in your home as a latrine while using another part of your attic as their living area. This can lead to matted attic insulation and reduced “R” values, which means you continue to lose money as you continue to heat and cool your home. It can also lead to stained ceilings and unnecessary odors.
Let our attic restoration professionals remove that soiled insulation and replace it with your choice of insulation products. Our specialists can prepare insurance bids with most major insurance companies and get your attic back in shape in no time. From gutter protection, attic fan vent guards, roof vent guards, gable vent closures and soffit vent repairs, our team can do it all with one single call.
Many of these nuisance animals cause problems to your chimney as well and require professional chimney repair. For all of your attic insulation tips, attic repair, attic restoration, and chimney repair needs, contact your local Critter Control of Westland office.