Roof-Space / Attic Insulation Work this Christmas or Winter?

Roof-Space / Attic Insulation Work this Christmas or Winter?

Watch out for condensation – damp Christmas decorations might be the least of your problems….

(PRESS RELEASE) TISTRUP, Denmark, 7-Dec-2022 — /EuropaWire/ — One of the hottest summers on record feels like a distant memory as the cold weather starts to bite. Furthermore, as the extraordinary increases in energy costs eat ever further into household budgets, more and more of us are checking to see if we have adequate loft insulation in order to minimise these costs.

Insulate to save money – but stay ventilated

The UK’s Energy Saving Trust estimates that a quarter of all generated heat is lost through the #roof in an uninsulated home: therefore, loft insulation represents the low hanging fruit of home heating (and carbon) reduction as its one of the easiest, fastest and most cost-effective measures that can be taken. With the average annual heating bill now predicted to surge to new highs, many of us will be planning to install, or upgrade, our #loft insulation, but, at the same time, it is essential that we are aware of the potential problems that inadequate attic ventilation can cause – problems that can be exacerbated by loft insulation.

Storing the Christmas lights may be storing up problems

Many of us use our #attics for storing Christmas decorations, family mementoes and all those other things which we know will definitely come in useful – one day. Unfortunately, this can also mean we are storing up problems, too, as existing air grilles and #vents can become blocked by storage boxes, as well as the installation of new, or upgraded, loft insulation. Blocked vents will result in reduced air flow, potentially leading to the build-up of #condensation which, in turn, can cause mould spores to develop (and all of the associated health risks that can result), rot damage to roof timbers, and damage to the #insulation itself, reducing its effectiveness.

Condensation occurs when warm air hits cold surfaces. Loft insulation, whilst undoubtedly a good thing, can actually exacerbate this in the roof space by retaining the heat in the house below. Of course, we want this, but it does mean that the roof space surfaces can be colder, making the condensing effect greater. Ventilation is the key to the problem. A correctly ventilated roof will ensure that there is a plentiful exchange of fresh air and that any water vapour escapes the roof space before it has a chance to condense and cause problems. At the time of their #construction, our homes would have had sufficient roof space #ventilation, but, in many cases, the increased levels of insulation have changed this, especially so in the case of older properties.

Unfortunately, as far as lofts are concerned, when it comes to identifying potential problems, the phrase ‘out of sight, out of mind’ applies all too often. For many of us, visits to the roof space are infrequent at best – perhaps only once a year to check on pipes and insulation, or just to retrieve the Christmas decorations.

Therefore, as we head into autumn, it is important to check that our lofts are adequately ventilated and take precautionary action if necessary.

New retrofit ventilation system can be installed from inside the roof space

Thankfully, if you do discover that you need additional roof space #ventilation, don’t panic: it’s not necessarily the costly and time-consuming task it once was, involving scaffolding and external works, tile replacements, etc. Many homeowners will find that they can now install additional vents from inside the roof space. Most felt- or membrane-lined roofs can accommodate KimaAir vents.

These simple and easy to install units can be fitted by any competent DIYer and are now available from merchants and specialist roofing suppliers (including online) throughout Europe and the UK. In order to find out how easy KimaAir vents are to fit, why not click through to Kima Roofing Accessories on YouTube and watch our short, two-minute, video: https://youtu.be/c1-y0NPIiN0

— Ends —

SOURCE: Kima Roofing Accessories