Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

spring home maintenance checklist

Spring is here, and that means that you should have a checklist of all that you need to do to ensure that your home is ready for warmer weather and functioning at its best! Here is a small maintenance checklist to use for your home this spring to ensure that you are can sit back and enjoy this warmer weather.

1. Time to check the insulation in your home

When was the last time that you checked your insulation? Most people think that insulation is something that you can place into your home and just forget about it. But, that is not the case! After 15 years, most insulation loses the ability to perform as it did before. When this happens, you could see higher energy bills and other issues. So, take the time to check the insulation throughout your home, including the attic insulation. If you find that you are smelling something damp or mildew, chances are it could be insulation that has become wet and set up mildew, or in worse cases mold. If you do find that the insulation or the attic insulation needs some TLC, then we are the pros to call to get it taken care of.

2. Check your windows.

spring home maintenance checklistDo you feel air coming in around the windows? Then this could be an insulation problem as well as a window repair needed. Check for cracks, breezes and other issues when checking the windows throughout your home.

3. Change your HVAC filters.

This is something that you need to do every month in most cases, but is also something to remember to check in the Spring. You will find that when you have tip top insulation in your home that your HVAC unit may not work as hard, which often means that your filters can last a bit longer each month.

4. Check the roof and gutters around your home.

When spring hits, then it is time to check the roof and gutters for any damage that they may have sustained over the winter months from winter storms that may have hit the area. Remember, the roof and gutters are your first line of protection from moisture getting into your insulation and home. When these are working properly, your entire home will be in much better shape.

5. Get ready for pests that may be coming into the home during the Spring.

Spring is not only a time that it gets warmer, but it is also the time that many people start to see pests coming into their home or leaving their home as they spent the winter there. Be sure that you are prepared for this. Have your home sprayed to avoid ants and other insects getting into the home, and be sure to check for any holes in which mice and other critters could get into. The last thing you want is a mouse getting into the attic insulation and bedding there!

Everything that you check for during the Spring is a way to protect the valuable asset that is your home. And we are here if you find that the insulation needs some professional work! Contact our team today.

What You Need to Know About Spray Foam for Your Home

spray foam insulation

What you need to know before choosing a particular spray foam for your home

If you’ve found your way to this blog, you’ve probably already read about the particular benefits of using spray foam: it fits a diverse set of needs, saves energy, is economically friendly, and can easily uniform to different locations in your home. 

It’s a pretty great option to choose for your project, no doubt. But what about the different kinds of spray foam? Now that we’ve touched on the general benefits of spray foam, let’s go ahead and get a little more specific: 

High density ADF advantages 

Here we have the densest option. Think of this one for your roofing or exterior insulation needs.  Spray foam in general can be a game changer when it comes to conserving energy, but the high-density option in particular will save costs over a roof’s lifetime, as it has high thermal resistance properties. 

You’re also going to get great protection against water and air infiltration. This will increase your building’s ability to withstand damage that may be caused during periods of high winds. 

spray foam insulation ottawa
https://www.ottawainsulations.ca/spray-foam-insulation/

Medium Density ADF advantages

Here we have a type of insulation better suited to interior wall cavity fill, continuous insulation, and applications in unvented attics. 

This level of density acts as a water and air barrier, as well as—get this—a potential option for reducing noise. 

The benefits of this spray foam can depend on the particular climate and type of building, so make sure to discuss this with your contractor. 

Low Density ADF advantages 

And finally, let’s talk about your lowest density option. Why go for a lower density option? It can actually remain relatively soft and flexible after curing, providing heat insulation, and the sealing of airflow cracks, joints and seams. 

Choose this option for your walls, unvented attics, to ducts and ceilings. It will also be permeable to vapour and moisture. 

And again, another delightful consequence is the absorption of sound. 

There you have it—your different kind of spray foam. Which one sounds the most enticing for your project? Are you thinking more about resistance to heat, or the resistance to sound? These are important considerations for your home or buildings, and our Insulation teams in Ottawa are available to discuss them with you. Contact us to begin this conversation.

Reasons Foam Insulation is Right For You

ottawa insulation service

There is a range of options to choose from when it comes to your insulation needs. Foam insulation, in particular, is a unique and flexible solution. Ottawa insulation services are at the ready and available to provide you with this service—you don’t have to worry about that part; you just have to consider all the awesome benefits that foam insulation will allot you.

Here are just a few:

  • Easy to install

The really great thing about spray foam is that it is easy to install, and dries quickly. You won’t have to wait very long to return to your home, and the insulation can reach those tricky areas that you have in mind, such as your attic or crawl space. Insulation teams around Ottawa are experts in quick application of the product, so you can rest easy knowing that the job will be done quickly and soundly.

  • Improves air quality

If you’ve ever struggled during allergy season, you are going to love what spray foam can do to reduce pollutants in your home. Allergens such as dust, mildew, mould, pollen etc. will be blocked from travelling through walls by the spray foam. Rodents will also find walls less attractive, as spray foam doesn’t provide an ideal nesting location.

Insulation Service Ottawa
  • Reduces sound

Who doesn’t want things to be a little quieter sometimes? Noise from traffic and neighbouring rooms will be dulled and/or sound proofed by spray foam, as it absorbs the sound waves. Have a better sleep or just get a break from outside noise pollution!

  • It’s environmentally friendly

Ottawa insulation is considerate of their clients’ desire for creative alternatives. Spray foam maintains the integrity of the insulation, for the Ottawa insulation team and the clients they serve.

Ultimately, spray foam will help you reduce your carbon footprint as you are consuming less energy.

  • It’ll save you money

Last, but certainly not least, foam insulation is going to save you money. It may seem expensive initially, but if you count up all the money you’ll be saving long-term, this one is a no brainer. It also might just improve the pricing of your home, as energy-efficient homes are very attractive to prospective buyers. If you’ve read this, and felt that feeling that foam spray is for you, don’t hesitate in getting in contact with foam installation experts near you in the Ottawa area. There are many great experts who would be happy to discuss further benefits of spray foam with you.  You can find more resources here to get in touch with our Ottawa insulation team today.

What’s it like to have spray foam installed in your home – a day in the life of a homeowner

ottawa insulation services

Insulation teams in Ottawa don’t want this process to be a mystery for you; you should be well informed of the process before, during, and after.

Find out what this process will look like for you as a homeowner after you’ve contacted us to install insulation in your home:

So you’ve chosen your insulation, now what?

Before taking time out from your building to allow the team to install the insulation, touch base with the person supervising the project. Supervisors should take you through a run down of the process, and introduce you to who exactly will be carrying out the installation. This may not be the supervisor, himself or herself. If not, don’t be shy in asking any questions you might have about their qualifications.

Residential insulations teams in Ottawa are certainly qualified, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, definitely check in.

The prep before the installation

The foam insulation team will first carry out some important prep work. This prep work entails managing ‘overspray.’ Overspray is the accumulation of airborne SPF particles on surfaces around where the application will be laid.

What will this look like? There will be the sealing off of areas with masking tape and plastic sheeting, as well as other surfaces that shouldn’t be covered in SPF overspray.

There will also be consideration paid to extinguishing any ignition sources in the vicinity of the spray area.

spray foam installed

Ventilation

Alongside the prepping process, they are also going to set up important ventilation. This will depend on the location and context of the installation, but imagine fans and flexible tubing around the areas without immediate accessibility to windows.

No need to stick around

During the actual application, feel free to head out and grab a coffee or do some shopping; you shouldn’t be present while the application is being carried out, anyway.

If you happen to be within sight of the area, you’ll see the team outfitted in their protective gear (PPE) during this process.

When can you re-enter?

Your insulation team will let you know when specifically you can re-enter. Expect to hear something around 24 hours for a high-pressure application, and as low as 60 minutes for a low-pressure application.

The factors that may alter the amount of your time before you can re-enter your home come down to the material used itself, or environmental conditions.

If you re-enter and notice any suspicious odours hanging around, definitely contact the insulation team right away; after curing, the insulation shouldn’t be producing any fumes.

Clean-up…

Of course you’ve thought of this already, but your home should be just as beautiful as you left it that day of installation. The supervisor of the project should let you know of an action plan that can be implemented if you notice the installation itself is a bit of, and not aesthetically pleasing. Definitely get in touch with them if you are not satisfied.

Finally, after a day or so, you’ve received your insulation. What a relief to have had that carried out so quickly. Ottawa insulators near you want you to have this level of ease to the project. We ‘ll take you through each step of the process, and be available afterwards to discuss your feedback. Here’s a link for you to start your day of insulation:

Find out what this process will look like for you as a homeowner after you’ve contacted us to install insulation in your home:

So you’ve chosen your insulation, now what?

Before taking time out from your building to allow the team to install the insulation, touch base with the person supervising the project. Supervisors should take you through a run down of the process, and introduce you to who exactly will be carrying out the installation. This may not be the supervisor, himself or herself. If not, don’t be shy in asking any questions you might have about their qualifications.

Residential insulations teams in Ottawa are certainly qualified, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, definitely check in.

The prep before the installation

The foam insulation team will first carry out some important prep work. This prep work entails managing ‘overspray.’ Overspray is the accumulation of airborne SPF particles on surfaces around where the application will be laid.

What will this look like? There will be the sealing off of areas with masking tape and plastic sheeting, as well as other surfaces that shouldn’t be covered in SPF overspray.

There will also be consideration paid to extinguishing any ignition sources in the vicinity of the spray area.

Ventilation

Alongside the prepping process, they are also going to set up important ventilation. This will depend on the location and context of the installation, but imagine fans and flexible tubing around the areas without immediate accessibility to windows.

No need to stick around

During the actual application, feel free to head out and grab a coffee or do some shopping; you shouldn’t be present while the application is being carried out, anyway.

If you happen to be within sight of the area, you’ll see the team outfitted in their protective gear (PPE) during this process.

When can you re-enter?

Your insulation team will let you know when specifically you can re-enter. Expect to hear something around 24 hours for a high-pressure application, and as low as 60 minutes for a low-pressure application.

The factors that may alter the amount of your time before you can re-enter your home come down to the material used itself, or environmental conditions.

If you re-enter and notice any suspicious odours hanging around, definitely contact the insulation team right away; after curing, the insulation shouldn’t be producing any fumes.

Clean-up…

Of course you’ve thought of this already, but your home should be just as beautiful as you left it that day of installation. The supervisor of the project should let you know of an action plan that can be implemented if you notice the installation itself is a bit of, and not aesthetically pleasing. Definitely get in touch with them if you are not satisfied.

Finally, after a day or so, you’ve received your insulation. What a relief to have had that carried out so quickly. Ottawa insulators near you want you to have this level of ease to the project. We ‘ll take you through each step of the process, and be available afterwards to discuss your feedback. Here’s a link for you to start your day of insulation: https://www.ottawainsulations.ca/

Types of Insulation in the Ottawa Area

Types of Insulation in the Ottawa Area

If you’re looking to choose insulation for your home, the first two questions on your mind should be where you want that insulation to be located, and what purpose you want that insulation to serve in your building. 

With that in mind, what better way to consider your choices than a breakdown of each type of insulation and the purposes they could serve for your project. There are lots of services available to you from residential insulation companies around the Ottawa area. 

ottawa insulation

Let’s start with getting to know different types of insulation you can expect, where you’ll find them and what they can do for you: 

1. Blanket: batts and rolls

  • You’re going to find this type of insulation for your unfinished walls, floors and ceilings. 
  • This is the most common insulation, and also one of the cheapest. It is very energy efficient, and serves as a sound reducer. 

2. Concrete Block insulation

  • Also standard for unfinished walls, but also can be used for construction or major renovations. 
  • With this one you’re going to get ten times the insulating value that you would with a traditional concrete, and it can also moderate indoor temperatures.

3. Foam Board or Rigid Foam

  • Use this for your unvented low slope roofs, as well as your floors, ceilings and unfinished walls
  • With this option, you’ll block thermal short circuits if you continuously install it over frames or joists

4. Insulating concrete forms (ICFs)

  • Another option for your unfinished walls, but this one will be directly built into the home’s wall, creating a high thermal resistance.

5. Loose-fill and blown-in 

  • This option is to enclose existing walls, or perhaps you would like to open new cavities. You’re also going to use this for unfinished attic floors, and other hard to reach places. 
  • Think of this option in particular for adding insulation to existing finished areas, or irregularly shaped areas. 

6. Reflective system 

  • This one is also effective for unfinished walls, ceilings and floors, as well as being an appropriate bubble form for irregular framing alongside your more standard framing needs. 
  • If you’re looking to prevent downward heat flow, this choice is for you! 

7. Rigid Fibrous

  • Use this option for ducts in unconditioned spaces, and for other spaces that require insulation but can notably withstand high temperatures.
  • That resistance to high temperature is the key here and the reason why you’d pick this option. 

8. Sprayed foam 

  • Sprayed for enclosing existing walls, as well as opening new wall cavities, and unfinished attic floors. 
  • It’s good for adding insulation to those already existing finished areas, and can handle irregularly shaped areas, including being placed around obstructions

9. Structural insulated panels (SIPs)

  • And finally, use this option as well for unfinished walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs for new constructions. 
  • It will provide more superior, uniform insulation and will take less time to build.  

We’d love to discuss your insulation needs with you further. We can discuss which insulation best suits your situation. Find further information and contact our team here.