When NOT to DIY your Attic Insulation

Last week we discussed the benefits of increasing your attic insulation to prevent ice dams from forming on your roofline during extreme winter temps.

But for safety reasons, there are a few circumstances where you should NOT DIY this project and instead hire it out to a licensed contractor.

If your moist air vents feed directly into your attic

Air coming from kitchens, bathrooms and clothes dryers is loaded with excess moisture, which travels through ductwork and out through vents.

Depending on the age and build of your home, these vents might be feeding directly into your attic, not the outdoors. Which means a higher chance of condensation, mildew, and mold behind your insulation.

In this case, moving the vents would have greater benefits than simply adding more insulation.

If your wiring pre-dates 1930

Before modern electrical circuits and grounding boxes, knob and tube wiring was added to homes for electric lights.

We now know that this form of wiring poses a very real fire hazard if it comes in contact with modern insulation.

Never attempt to replace this wiring yourself. Instead, hire a licensed electrician to address the issue. And if you don’t intend to replace it, make sure you hire a contractor who understands the fire codes and how to properly insulate around it.

If you have unsealed, uninsulated “can” lights

These serve as a passage for unwanted heat flow upward when they stick into your attic space. If the “can” light is particularly close to the roof deck, it can trigger snow melt and ice dam formation as well.

But sealing them yourself can create a hazard if done improperly with the wrong materials. Old-style lights produce significant heat and need extra air space to vent as well.

Consulting a professional to seal and insulate them is your best bet for a safe and effective job.

“What if my attic is good to go?”

As a “do-it-yourself” project, adding insulation and air sealing your attic should be a 1-2 day process that pays itself off in years of lowered bills. Next week we’ll go over the key places to check for air flow and signs of air leaks.

And if the upcoming winter storm has you worried about your roof here in Minnesota, know that our team of roofing experts can safely and efficiently remove any ice dams that form as the temps shift.