Andy OnCall Chicagoland

• This is a great time to take a look at the insulation in your attic.
• Every year at this time, we see ads about attic insulation. Fact: Insulating your attic can keep your house warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and save energy. Also a fact: Not every house needs more insulation.

• So how do you know if your house needs more insulation?

• The quick way to see if you need more is to look across the span of your attic. If your insulation is just level with or below your joists, you should add more. If you cannot see any of the floor joists because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough and adding more probably won’t be cost-effective.

• A little bit about insulation:

o Insulation effectiveness is measured by R-Value. The higher the R-Value, the better the performance of the insulation. Insulation in your attic should be R-38 or higher.

o Your insulation should be 10 to 14 inches thick, depending on insulation type.

o When adding additional insulation, you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic. You can add loose fill on top of fiberglass, and vice-versa. If you use fiberglass over loose fill, make sure the fiberglass has no paper or foil backing; it needs to be “unfaced.”

Tighten hinges and fasteners on your doors, drawers, cabinetry and furniture. Keeping joints and hinges tight can prevent structural damage, will help drawers and doors close better and keeps your furniture from squeaking when used.

Make sure that your house is covered for its replacement value, which needs to include any improvements or additions you have made over the years. Also, make sure you have a video or photograph record of your house stored in a secure place outside of your house, like a safe deposit box.