Reasons Not To DIY Your Insulation In Fort Collins CO
DIY insulation is tempting when you have a tight budget and an abundance of time. Some people make the attempt after a bit of online research and a visit to their local hardware store. However, they quickly find out that it is not as easy as it seems.
Installation is a complex undertaking that requires careful consideration of numerous factors. Professional installers undergo rigorous training just to be able to do things right. Homeowners would be prudent to seek expert assistance for this type of project.
Why A Fort Collins DIY Insulation Project Is A Bad Idea
Contents
In this article, we discuss some of the common issues that occur with a DIY insulation project.
The Health Hazards of Insulation Removal In Your Colorado Home
Sometimes new insulation can simply be added on top of the existing material. In other cases, you must take out the current insulation before laying the replacement.
The old insulation is likely to contain health hazards such as animal waste, mold, and asbestos. The affected areas require treatment to ensure the effectiveness of the new insulation. Careful handling is also necessary to prevent contamination.
Once everything has been removed, the material must be disposed of properly. Most people are not aware of the correct procedures. On the other hand, professional installers can perform these tasks effectively.
The Fire Hazards During Installation
Another thing to consider is the electrical system and its contact with the insulation. There must be ample space between them to allow safe co-existence. This will disperse heat before electrical hardware reaches the insulation to prevent fires. It is a delicate balance since you also need to seal the air for the insulation to work. Going into cramped areas such as crawl spaces can be dangerous if the electricity is running and the person does not have the proper equipment. It is far better to let the professionals handle this matter than risk experiencing electric shocks, fire, or a worse disaster.
Additional Reasons Why Insulation Should NOT Be a DIY Project
While a lot of home improvement projects can be handled by the owners themselves, insulation should not be one of them. Below is a list of some additional reasons why DIY insulation is a bad idea:
Safety
Insulating materials contain dangerous chemicals. Mishandling can lead to the release of carcinogens into the environment. This can have negative long-term effects on the people who will come into contact.
Professional insulation installers are trained to minimize the risk while most homeowners are not. They will go in with personal protective equipment. They will handle materials correctly and clean up after they are done. It would also be perilous to enter hard-to-reach areas such as attics and ceilings to install insulation. The structures may not be able to support much weight so it is better to let the experts deal with these.
Insulation Tools
Special insulation tools are necessary to do the job right. Most homeowners will only have common home improvement tools which are inadequate for the task. If they try to tackle the project using these limited resources, then the whole installation can drag on for a long time. The results will not be satisfying either.
While it may be possible for regular people to purchase special tools and equipment, the money they will spend will eat up their budget. These may not be professional-grade equipment which makes them less effective. After the installation, many of the insulation tools are unlikely to get used again.
Ventilation
Installers need to consider ventilation in tandem with insulation. Focusing on one while neglecting the other will not provide a good outcome. Lack of ventilation results in stale air and increased moisture. These can encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
Professional insulators are also trained in ventilation techniques. They will make sure that the new insulation will not have a negative effect on the indoor air quality. Thus, owners will feel more comfortable in their homes.
Insulating Material Selection
Several types of insulation materials are available for residential use. People might use spray foam, fiberglass, batting, closed-cell, open-cell, radiant barrier, rigid foam, and so on. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. Untrained individuals may not be familiar with all of them. The lack of knowledge is likely to lead to poor decision-making. They may pick options that produce sub-optimal insulation for their needs and regret their choices later. Experts can provide advice and lead the selection so homeowners will not have anything to worry about.
Quantity Of Insulation
Choosing the right material is just the beginning. The next step is to install the correct quantity in every location. There is a misconception that more is always better but that isn’t true. Using excessive insulating material can create hot spots that force the heating or cooling system to work harder and consume more energy. Of course, using inadequate insulation is also a problem since this lets conditioned air escape the house while failing to block heat transfer. Professionals can work within the ideal range using scientific calculations.
Quality Of Insulation Installation
The choice of who will conduct the installation should ultimately boil down to who can do it better. Anyone can attempt to install new insulation but few can do it properly. People may have the best intentions but fail in the execution because they don’t have the skills or experience. Meanwhile, professionals can perform each task systematically to ensure excellent performance.
Cost Of Insulation Installation In Fort Collins
Finally, DIY installations could end up costing more down the road. Novices are prone to making errors that will be costly to fix. They might purchase excessive insulation for their needs. They may have to buy additional tools to accomplish certain tasks. Even after giving it their all, the installation may not provide the energy efficiency that they are aiming for. Their utility bills will remain high instead of going down as intended.
Conclusion
If you want stress-free installations, then hire insulation professionals. They will help you avoid common mistakes and give you excellent value for money. They will also keep your family safe and comfortable.
DIY Insulation Fort Collins Colorado
As you can see, when dealing with insulation in your home, consulting with a professional is the best option. There are a lot of factors to consider when it concerns the installation of insulation such as insulation types, quality of insulation, safety, and more. Ascend Construction specializes in insulation removal and installation, energy conservation, energy audits, whole house fan installations, and more in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the neighboring areas.
Contact Ascend Construction for a free consultation today. We can provide you with practical solutions to address the problem areas in your Fort Collins home. All of our services are affordable and our work is guaranteed. Click here to contact us or click the button below to give Ascend Construction a call. We offer free, no-obligation, in-home consultations.