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What Does Damaged Insulation Look Like?

Insulation can be hard to see behind your walls and above your ceiling. That doesn’t mean it can’t be damaged. But if you can’t take a look for yourself, how would you know? There are plenty of ways to know if your insulation is damaged which we’ll cover in this article put together by your trusted insulation experts at Foam Bear Tampa!

Your Home Is Calling For Help! Know the Signs:

You might not be able to get a good look at the insulation itself, but there are other visible signs that can indicate something is wrong with it. As your reliable team of insulation experts, you can count on us to go into these signs in vivid detail:

  • Water spots along the wall or ceiling usually mean that there’s a leak passing through your insulation. This protective barrier is meant to protect the interior of your home from natural occurrences, so this probably means that your insulation is damaged to the point of having an exposed opening. These water spots can appear brown or yellow.
  • For areas where you can directly see your insulation, discoloration typically happens when the material comes into contact with water and is in the process of deteriorating.
  • Mold appearances around the home could mean that your insulation has been letting in moisture for quite some time. You might also encounter some mildew if that’s the case.
  • Drafts that seem persistent in specific areas of the home could mean that your insulation has a hole or gap that’s tunneling in the air.
  • An abundance of pests and rodents could be entering your home from an exposed crack in damaged insulation. If you pay attention, you might be able to find the exact spot that they’re coming from.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to tell if your insulation might be damaged. If you encounter any of these pesky problems, it might be time to replace your damaged insulation for a fresh application.

Read more > How Do I Know If My Home’s Insulation Needs To Be Replaced?

Neglecting the Call Only Makes Matters Worse

For the sake of costs, we know that some homeowners may want to tough it out and deal with the mold and bugs instead of replacing their insulation. That’s not a good idea because neglecting to replace your insulation in the face of certain problems like water damage and drafts can lead to more devastating problems later. Ignoring water damage can cause your home’s structural integrity to weaken over time until your roofing collapses with you inside. Ignoring drafts can be dangerous come hurricane season when high windows can use the gap in your ceiling to tear off your roof in its entirety.

The next time you decide to look the other way when your insulation needs to be replaced, remember that you could be dooming your property (or worse).

What Can You Do About It? Introducing Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam is often the best choice for replacing damaged insulation because of its durability, high thermal rating, and longer lifespan. Plenty of homeowners who have switched to spray foam insulation have noticed a more comfortable home environment and enhanced safety, making it well worth the investment. To experience these great results, it’s crucial to not attempt insulation replacement on your own. Call the pros to remove old insulation for you for the best results and to preserve your safety!

Read more > Can I Remove Fiberglass Insulation Myself? 4 Reasons to Call the Pros

Let Foam Bear Replace Your Old Insulation With a Spray Foam Upgrade!

Foam Bear Tampa is the best place near you for replacing damaged insulation with top-quality spray foam products. We take care of the removal and application stages so you don’t have to worry about a single step! Call us today at (727) 580-1090 to ask for a free estimate on your service.

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4 Ways To Make An Older Home More Efficient

It’s never too late to give your home an energy-efficient upgrade. Eco-friendliness isn’t a fad that will go out of style and so the best time to practice sustainability is now. If you’re eager to get started, we have some of the best suggestions on ways to make an older home more efficient. When it comes time to upgrade your home’s insulation, be sure to reach out to Foam Bear Orlando!

Read more > 5 Reasons to Save Money In the Long Term By Investing In Spray Foam

1. Swap to Energy-Efficient LED Light Bulbs

One of the easiest and most impactful energy upgrades for any old home is the switch to LED lightbulbs. Older traditional light bulbs use more energy and don’t last nearly as long as LED bulbs, and they tend to be much warmer which doesn’t really help during hot Florida summers. LED bulbs give off less heat which can contribute to your air conditioner’s efficiency especially when paired with spray foam insulation that delivers high thermal properties.

2. Update Your Home Appliances to Modern Versions

There are plenty of things around the house that use up energy and spike your electric bill. One of the best things about living in 2024 (and beyond) is that there are plenty of energy-efficient appliances out there that do an excellent job of reducing energy usage in the home. If you live in an older house, there’s a good chance that you’re still using older appliances that were installed before these upgrades existed. You can see a huge difference in your energy usage by swapping to newer appliances with an Energy Star rating and installing spray foam insulation to create a healthy atmosphere for these machines to work as intended.

3. Identify and Close Up Exposed Air Leaks

The older the home, the more dingy it may be. Even houses with old-timey charm may have hidden faults lying underneath the surface, like scraped edges and torn corners that make way for air leaks into the building and welcome drafts that can drive up energy costs. This is the case with many older homes, but the problem can easily be remedied with spray foam insulation which can expand to close up these gaps.

4. Consider Smart Thermostats For Managing HVAC Use

A great solution to managing your HVAC use is investing in a smart thermostat that’s easy to control even when you’re not home. Instead of setting a number and leaving the house for the day, you can micromanage your settings with your smartphone to adjust as needed and save energy. But even if you go with one of the fancier options for a smart thermostat, it still won’t work as you expect it to if you don’t have proper insulation. Spray foam insulation can ensure that your home has the means to maintain any temp you set your thermostat to.

Learn more > Can My HVAC Be Failing Because of Poor Insulation?

Bottom Line: New Insulation Can Enhance These Upgrades

Have you noticed a pattern between all of these home energy upgrades? You need proper insulation for these strategies to promote the best results. Most older homes have batt and roll or cellulose which have a limited lifespan of around 15 years or so. Spray foam, on the other hand, insulates much better than these outdated materials and can last up to 80 years or longer. Between your spray foam options, closed-cell spray foam has a higher R-value which means better thermal qualities.

Trust In Your Local Insulation Experts at Foam Bear Orlando!

Looking to retrofit your old home with spray foam insulation? Call Foam Bear Orlando today at (727) 580-1090 to ask for a free estimate on your next service! We carry top-tier spray foam products backed by expert installation for a comfortable home, old or not.