{"id":12837,"date":"2021-10-19T11:45:14","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T19:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.guardianhome.com\/?p=12837"},"modified":"2024-11-19T07:56:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T15:56:38","slug":"prepare-your-home-for-the-coming-cooler-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.guardianroofing.com\/2021\/10\/prepare-your-home-for-the-coming-cooler-months\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepare your home for the coming cooler months"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the northern climate of Portland<\/a> and Seattle<\/a>, having proper<\/span> attic and crawlspace insulation<\/span><\/a> and ventilation is extremely important to keep your house warm and moisture free. Every home is unique and has specific requirements that need to be taken into consideration to keep you warm all winter.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most homes in the Pacific Northwest probably don\u2019t have enough insulation. If you have insufficient insulation, you are wasting your heat in the winter and making your heating system work harder. This significantly increases repairs your HVAC system will eventually need. If you have insufficient ventilation, you may be creating a moisture problem, which can be difficult to remedy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you look across your attic and see the ceiling joists, you definitely need more insulation. You should have about 16\u201d to 18\u201d of insulation across your attic floor. You also need the right type of\u00a0 insulation that has the right R rating. The R rating refers to the resistance to conductive heat flow of a material measured in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value — the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. For most Washington homes, fiberglass insulation should have an R-rating of R38 to R49.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many homeowners are tempted just to add new fill on top of the old. At <\/span>Guardian Home<\/span><\/a>, we strongly advise against it. While it may be a less expensive alternative for the immediate term, it\u2019ll cost you more in the long run. There could be problems with the old insulation like dampness, damaged HVAC systems, or rodent colonies that need to be addressed first. In preparation for the winter weather, you need to seal the little cracks and holes in the exterior of your home and roof before those cracks allow pests and moisture into your home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pests, air and moisture cause damage to the insulation as well as the other building materials in the attic. You might want to start by creating a map of problem areas in your home. On the map, note the location of cold spots, drafts, lighting fixtures and excessively dusty areas. Then take the map with you when you are inspecting your attic insulation, Look for the big holes first. They are easier to find and filling them will provide the biggest benefits. Look for dirty insulation, which may indicate air flow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Using your map as a guide, look for the sources of leaks:<\/span><\/p>\n