Installing New Insulation Over Old Insulation: Dos & Don’ts
You can install new insulation over old insulation, but there are a few things that you should and should not do. Some of this might seem a little obvious, but rather than ruin your new insulation, it is a good idea to go over some of the issues you might potentially encounter.
Don’t Worry If Old Insulation Is Undamaged
If your old insulation is looking fine, not torn to pieces by a rodent, infested with insects, or otherwise falling to pieces, then new insulation over old might be exactly what you need. Building up layers of insulation works like any other type of fabric layering. Allowing conditioned air (warm or cool) to escape less easily.
Even if you have undamaged sections, these can be the places where you double up your new and old insulation. But everywhere the insulation is problematic, it should be replaced before placing anything over it, lest the new suffer the same fate as the old. And if there is a problem, make sure to use something like an attic cleaning service to solve the underlying issue.
Do Remove Old Insulation If It is Wet
Visible damage is not the only thing you need to worry about. When it comes to insulation wetness or even dampness, it can be extremely troubling. And it is not always apparent. If the insulation is not in a well lit area, say in the case of attic insulation, you might not be able to see the discoloration.
But even with perfectly lit exposed wall insulation, if it is uniformly damp, it can be very difficult to tell if it is wet. If you do not know that the insulation is safe to handle, do not touch it to find out. Why does it matter if the insulation is wet? Because it creates a high risk of mold and can rot your rafters, studs, joists, etc.
Don’t Install New Installation Incorrectly
This might seem like it is too obvious to mention, but it bears mentioning. The reason you are adding insulation is likely due to the fact that what you have is not working as desired. That means it could already be installed incorrectly.
Following the bad insulation trend might not be the best use of your time or new insulation. You may need insulation removal to fix your current problem, but don’t stack up the issue and end up paying for more insulation, removal, and inevitably use an installation service at the end of the journey anyway.
Do Contact A Professional For Insulation Installation
One of the main reasons you want to call a pro for attic insulation is to get rid of any of the remaining headaches or unanswered questions pertaining to installing new insulation over old insulation. As soon as you get someone with years of experience to help you, the job is sure to be done correctly.
More than just properly placing and securing the new insulation over the old insulation, a professional insulation service is able to sort through and address the underlying causes of your insulation damage. For example, if your insulation is being torn apart, you would likely benefit from rodent proofing.