By Sara Price
•
November 26, 2024
As a homeowner, there is always something around your house that needs taken care of. Your attic and crawl space are no exception, though taking care of them is often forgotten. Read on to find a few things you can do to make sure your attic and crawl space are in good shape. Attic Insulation: Ensuring that you have proper insulation keeps your home comfortable and reduces heating and cooling bills. The minimum recommended attic insulation level in Kentucky is R-38 and many homeowners don't realize their insulation is insufficient. Checking for gaps or damaged insulation is also critical to maintaining the energy efficiency of your home. Consulting with a professional to determine what type of insulation will best protect your home is an easy way to make sure your home is operating at peak efficiency. Moisture Control in Crawl Spaces: Installing a vapor barrier to keep moisture out, prevent mold, mildew, and structural issues is a sound investment. This barrier protects your home’s framing and improves air quality. It is also important to consider proper insulation in your crawlspace. Adding perimeter insulation, conditioning your crawlspace, and installing dehumidifiers are all ways to make sure your crawlspace doesn't become a hideaway for potential problems. Seal Air Leaks: Properly seal gaps in both areas to improve energy efficiency and keep pests out. Air leaks are one of the most common sources of inefficiency in a home. Performing a blower door test or inspecting with thermal imaging cameras is a great way to determine where your home is leaking air. Use good quality caulking or spray foam around plumbing, vents, and wiring and ensure that your attic and crawlspace openings have proper weather seals and insulation. Check for Pests: In both attics and crawl spaces pests can make their way in and wreak havoc. If pests have damaged your insulation, flooring, wood framing, or wiring call pest control to remedy the situation and have a local handyman repair where needed. At My Old Kentucky Home Repair we specialize in ensuring all of your home's systems are properly maintained. Attics and crawl space are frequently overlooked and a great place to catch small problems before they become big headaches. Inspecting and improving attics and crawl spaces is an easy way to protect your investment and keep your home in proper working order. Let us help you take care of these essential spaces for a healthier, more comfortable home!