For obvious reasons, many homeowners choose to tackle home renovation projects on their own. Kansas City insulation is one of those things that seems to shout, “Try me! I’m easy!” However, we’ve been to many homes where DIY insulation jobs have caused extensive – and often costly – problems for homeowners who now regret their decision to spend an afternoon blindly dabbling in construction. We don’t mean to sound like know-it-alls, but we do feel there are certain jobs that necessitate a trained professional with years of experience – and insulating a home is definitely one of them!

Problem #1: Ventilation Paths Are Blocked.

Obstructing the airflow can create big problems for people who try to tackle Kansas City insulation on their own. You could end up with condensation on the inside of your roof, which leads to rotting and expensive leaks! Many times, homeowners will push batt or blanket insulation past the top plate or fold the insulation over and between the rafters. Roofs with steep pitches do best with a slanted-board baffle installed at the end of each joist run to allow enough space for some air to pass through.

Problem #2: Unwanted Holes or Gaps Are Left Unattended.

What’s the point of having insulation if there are rampant holes and gaps everywhere? You want to draw heat in and give it only one, clear pathway to escape – usually through your soffit or ridge vent. When we do a job, we’re careful to fill in all the extra spaces where pipes, ducts and wires enter the attic floor. This can be done using caulking or un-faced fiberglass.

Problem #3: Lighting Fixtures Are Covered With Insulation.

This Kansas City insulation error can be deadly! Recessed lighting fixtures can become exceedingly hot, which creates a very dangerous fire hazard. It’s important that you leave a reasonable clearance of at least three inches between the light fixtures and insulation. Many of the problems we see come from blown-in or poured insulation, which can be difficult to control. Another option, if you’re worried about heat transfer, is to replace the fixtures with flush-mounted lighting instead.

Problem #4: The Vapor Barrier Is Faced Improperly.

Many a disaster has been created when homeowners place the paper or foil faced insulation with the wrong side down. This can cause moisture to tran inside the insulation, creating a real mess. When loose-fill insulation is involved, it’s necessary to install a polyethylene sheet vapor barrier between each joist run before coating the ceiling with vapor-retardant paint and pouring the material.

These are just a few of the many things that can go wrong in a typical Kansas City insulation job if the installer does not have a thorough knowledge of how insulation works. Far too often, we see homes that have been over-insulated, over-stuffed, installed with gaps or puckers, and placed too close to attic fans. Installing insulation is, in reality, a hot, cramped and somewhat unpleasant task for the average homeowner. For these reasons, many people find themselves rushing to get done and, as a result, doing a sub-par job.  Avoid mistakes and get the job done right the first time by calling All-Weather Windows, Doors & Siding at 913-262-4380.