Back in the attic again.

CONDITION: Inadequate insulation.

IMPLICATION: The obvious implication of inadequate insulation is heat loss. In areas (such as ours) where snow accumulation is the norm, low attic insulation levels promote ice dams.

RECOMMENDATION: While adding insulation is an improvement and not a repair, one should be vigilant when increasing the insulation in the attic;

1) Loose fill, blown in insulation is the most convenient but be sure to not block your soffit vents at the edges...use baffles to keep the insulation back,

2) If you have any chimneys or vents (masonry or metal) be sure to use noncombustible insulation and keep the insulation at least 2 inches away from metal chimneys and cover those pot lights with appropriate, protective canisters,

3) Weatherstrip and insulate your attic hatch (attic entryway) to prevent all the warm, moist house air into the attic space,

4) Increase your attic venting! Get rid of those flat vents (as they can be covered by snow in our climate) and install appropriate sized (for your attic space) maximum vents on the roof. If you have gable vents on either side of your attic/house wall, close them off to improve and promote proper venting.

This way you'll have fresh air coming in through the soffit vents (under roof edges) venting the attic air out through the maximum vents (top of roof).

Count on Us to CHECK it out!