Ensuring your home is properly insulated is one of the challenges that comes with being a homeowner in the United States. A poorly insulated home can cost you a fortune in energy bills. Most people assume that insulation is something they only need to worry about during the installation stage. Although many types of insulations are designed to last for a long time, the material may undergo certain changes as time passes. It's important to know when it's time to add or replace your insulation.

Conduct an Annual Inspection

The best way to ensure that you're not surprised by high energy bills is to add insulation to your annual home inspection list. As time passes, insulation can compact due to its own weight. Insulation made from organic materials can also deteriorate, especially if it has been exposed to water or high humidity levels at some point.

An annual inspection will allow you to monitor any changes to do with the insulation so you can plan your next move accordingly. It's especially important to perform regular inspections if you've gone with a material you've never used before since you don't know how it performs in the long term.

Have You Had a Recent Leak?

There is a chance that your insulation may need to be updated if you've recently had a roof leak or a leak inside the walls of your house. Insulation is usually under the roof and between your walls. This means that if either of these is compromised, the insulation will likely be exposed to some water.

Certain types of insulation can handle exposure to moisture relatively well. However, materials such as cellulose are organic. Exposure to moisture can not only damage the insulation but also lead to mold growth.

Look Out for Pests

If you've recently had a pest problem, you may need to update your insulation as well. Some pests can eat the material used to make the insulation while others can burrow through the material. All of this can reduce the effectiveness of the material. Even if you've had the infestation sorted, you'll still want to check to ensure no serious damage was caused.

Hiring a Professional

Inspecting your insulation can be difficult, and you may not want to be exposed to certain materials e.g. fiberglass. A home insulation contractor can perform a better inspection of the insulation. This will ensure nothing is overlooked when assessing your insulation.

Contact a company like Donofrio & Associates to learn more.