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Attic Projects: Maintain the Floor Insulation

It’s important to check the attic floor insulation periodically for signs of clumping and mold, which will tell you a lot about the moisture conditions in the attic.

Clumping is the sign of a possible leak, and moldy insulation probably means there isn’t enough ventilation. Clumped insulation isn’t providing adequate R-value, and moldy insulation is a health hazard. Remove both and replace with new material.

Whether you have batt or loose fill insulation, it should be level with the tops of the floor joists to avoid heat loss and higher energy bills. This is also your opportunity to add more if necessary. You can do the job yourself, but if you decide to hire someone, the cost will depend on the size of the attic and the amount of insulation you need.

The average cost to hire a pro to insulate the attic of a 2,500- to 3,000-square-foot house is around $1,500. But because you’re just adding extra material, it should be much lower, probably from $500 to $1,000.

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Attic Projects: Add Wall Insulation

Insulating the underside of the roof decking isn’t as important as insulating the floor, and many homeowners opt not to do it. However, if you decide to use the attic as a living space, or need better climate control to protect items stored up there, insulating the walls is a great idea.

You can add batt insulation easily by yourself. The only tools you need are a tape measure, knife and staple gun. If you decide to hire a pro, expect to pay $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot for labor. The insulation will run from $0.75 to $1.25 per square foot, depending on R-value.

If the attic walls are already insultated, check it for signs of mold, clumping and pest damage, and replace all material in poor condition. When you remove clumped or wet insulation, don’t forget to check the underside of the roof deck for signs of leaking. It’s important for the health of the roof to fix leaks as soon as you find them.