On average, running your HVAC system accounts for more than half of your home’s total energy usage. This is why heating or cooling malfunctions are the first things to check when you notice an unusual increase in energy consumption.
However, if you have an attic air leak, you can experience a spike in energy waste even if the HVAC system works properly.
Why You Need a Professional to Perform Attic Air Sealing
While you can try to seal air leaks in your attic without professional help, doing so could waste time and money. If you don’t use the proper type of sealant, your patchwork may not last long. A professional will use various types of insulation, caulk, and other materials to create a long-lasting bond.
Additionally, the products used for attic air sealing can cause health problems when handled incorrectly. Common health hazards associated with this work include skin, respiratory system, and eye damage.
Professionals wear the proper protective equipment when handling insulation and other materials to ensure they complete the work safely.
Signs That Your Attic Needs Air Sealing
If your home is new, you may not have air leaks in your attic. However, it’s a common issue in older homes. After a decade or longer, the house’s framing can shift, and the wood will start to warp. Combine this with foundation wear and tear, resulting in air leaks that can compromise your home’s energy efficiency.
Here are a few common signs that your home may need professional attic air sealing:
- Increases in energy consumption
- Drafts throughout the home
- Hot or cold spots
- Damaged or loose insulation
- Mold and mildew on attic surfaces
You might also be able to see the signs of air leaks in your attic. For instance, sunlight shining between the boards in your attic’s sealing indicates that you likely have air leaks. Schedule an air leak inspection as soon as you suspect a problem.
The Benefits of Professional Attic Air Sealing
There are many benefits to hiring professionals to seal the air leaks in your attic. One of the biggest motivating factors is to boost your HVAC system efficiency. Retaining more treated air in your home will reduce the frequency of heating and cooling cycles. Additionally, you’ll enjoy the following unexpected advantages.
Get Rid of Unwanted Temperature Variations
During the spring and summer, you might notice certain rooms in your home feel uncomfortably warm. In the winter, those areas might feel cold. If you have air leaks in your attic, these hot or cold spots can result from transferring treated and untreated air into your attic.
A small leak can be enough to affect HVAC performance, but attic air sealing will fix this problem instantly. Sealing gaps in your attic, treated air won’t escape your living spaces. The air that gets pushed into your attic will remain there, reducing the space your HVAC must fill with new, treated air.
Give Your Indoor Air Quality a Boost
An attic air leak will allow outdoor contaminants into your home. Depending on the number or size of the air leaks, the volume of debris might be too high for your HVAC system’s filter to handle. As a result, your indoor air will carry pollen, dust, bacteria, and other pollutants into your living spaces.
Sealing those leaks will keep your indoor air clean and fresh. You’ll quickly notice that you breathe easier, your skin feels more youthful, and your sinus issues dissipate.
In addition to alleviating respiratory and seasonal allergy symptoms, cleaner indoor air will lighten the burden on your HVAC system. The system will draw in fewer particles, keeping it from degrading as rapidly.
Guard Against Moisture Damage
An air leak will also let rain and moisture into your attic. The wood will rot as the wood beams and boards in your attic become damp. This creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. Allowing this problem to worsen will result in the need for extensive repairs.
You can prevent moisture damage by ensuring outdoor humidity and precipitation won’t affect the interior of your attic. Air leak sealing will keep your home dry and free from water damage. After sealing air leaks, use a dehumidifier and exhaust fans to control indoor air moisture.
Lower the Risk of a Pest Infestation
All types of pests look for shelter to hibernate throughout the colder months. They will infest a home in the summer and remain during the fall and winter. In many cases, you can experience both rodent and insect infestations at the same time.
Air sealing closes off access points in your attic. Even if pests access your roof by jumping from tree limbs or flying toward the ambient heat your roof releases, they won’t find a way inside. A professionally sealed attic closes off one of the most common ways pests enter your home.
Reduce Ambient Noise in Your Home
You might think that exterior sounds (traffic, construction, etc.) will always be a nuisance. Unless you undertake an extensive home renovation to install soundproof walls, you might assume you must accept this inconvenience of living in any community. However, this is not necessarily true.
You can do small things to reduce the ambient noise in your home. Attic air sealing creates a stronger barrier against unwanted sounds. By sealing gaps in your attic, sound waves will bounce off your roof and travel away from your home. This helps muffle exterior sounds, leading to a quieter indoor environment.
Schedule Attic Sealing for Your Home
Attic Projects provides professional air leak sealing services to help you protect your attic against outside hazards. We offer a 100% fair price guarantee. Our team will deliver perfect attic air sealing the first time, or we’ll return and fix it for free. Experience our dedication to customer satisfaction. Contact us today.
