Frequently Asked Questions
When considering insulation, removal, or fireproofing projects, there is a lot of research that needs to be done to make sure that you have all the information to make an informed choice. At Reitzel Insulation, we want to help you with this research, so we have provided a list of the most commonly asked questions concerning the insulation contracting and fireproofing services that we provide.
Have a look at these frequently asked questions, and if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us, especially with questions that are specific to the type of insulation or fireproofing project that you are considering.
Common Questions
How do I fix a cold room over a garage?
We usually find that the builder has used fibreglass batting and the only way to fix this correctly is to first remove the drywall and existing insulation and then spray foam these areas. This will stop the cold air from penetrating this area making the rooms above much warmer. Also the duct work for heating these areas often runs through the floor joists and in the garage walls, by improving the seals around the duct work will ensure that the heat intended to get to these rooms is actually still warm when it gets there.
My floors are cold on the main level, is there anything I can do?
There are a couple of reasons that may cause cold floors. If there is a basement or crawlspace below this area that is lacking the proper amount of insulation. The ring joists and walls in the room below could be allowing drafts from outside into home and cooling your floors.
I live in a 2 storey home and the upstairs is hot in the summer and cold in the winter?
This is usually due to lack of insulation in the attic, poor airflow in the attic or a combination of both. Learn more about the additional benefits of proper attic and roof insulation.
I live in a 1.5 storey and the upstairs is hot in the summer and cold in the winter?
These homes are very unique and take very careful decision making on how the space is used. There is usually a combination of 3 areas to be addressed, a small upper attic and knee walls on either side of the house or all the way around the house. It is imperative to insulate all 3 properly, otherwise the areas not insulated properly become the weak point of the attic/insulation system.
How do I properly insulate my crawlspace?
There are 2 ways to properly insulate a crawlspace.
If you have a heat source in the crawlspace we would put a 6-mil vapour barrier on the dirt or gravel floor and spray foam from the floor above, down all outside walls, sealing to the 6-mil vapour barrier.
If there is no heat source in the crawlspace and one cannot be added cost effectively, then spraying 5-inches or more of spray foam on the underside of the floor would be the alternative.
What if I see black spots on the insulation?
Check out our recent blog post all about the causes of mould damage and black spots on insulation, and how to minimize further damage or correct the problem.
What is the best type of insulation to use in a basement?
We recommend spray foam, as it adheres to almost any clean, dry, surface it is sprayed to. Spray foam is recognized as an air and vapour barrier after 2-inches thick (50mm). If your studs are off the foundation wall the spray foam will expand in behind the studs making this application virtually seamless, making heating and cooling this area much more efficient.
What is the best insulation for flat attics?
Our answer is always spray foam, but blown insulation in very cost effective for flat attic areas as well and is the most common product used.
Can I insulate existing walls in my older home?
Depending on the wall make up, we have 2 different applications we can do to improve the insulation in the exterior walls. Every situation is unique as far as wall make up, what is in the wall, how deep is the cavity etc. We always come out and provide a free onsite estimate for this type of work.
Insulation Basics
What are the benefits of insulation?
There are many benefits of insulation, including:
Energy savings – you’ll have lower heating and cooling bills
Comfort – indoor temperature control
Reducing your carbon footprint
How much insulation does my house need?
The amount of insulation your home needs will depend on a few factors – where you live and how old your home is. Different climates will require different R-values and the older your home is, the more insulation it will probably need.
How much money can I save by adding insulation?
Calculating savings will depend on where you live, how much insulation you’ve put in/are putting in to your home, and what kind of heating system and cooling system you have in your home.
What can I do to help offset the costs of my insulation?
There are many ways to offset the costs of insulation, including researching and applying for rebates. Check on our rebates page regularly to see what promotions we have going at any time.
What is an R-Value?
An R-value is an insulating material’s capacity to resist heat flow and transfer. The higher the R-value is, the greater its insulating power is. Some jurisdictions use minimum thermal resistance codes using nominal values (thermal resistance value for insulation) while others use effective values (the thermal resistance value of the whole building assembly).
What is minimum building code for attic insulation?
The minimum building code for an attic is R-60, but it is minimum for a reason, it is the absolute minimum a builder is required to install in a new home. If you are paying for the heating and air conditioning more is better in this case, to protect your heating and cooling dollars.
Our Services
How do I choose an Insulation Contractor?
There are many considerations that go into choosing the right contractor for your insulation installation or removal project. Below are the most important items to consider:
Credentials. The right contractor should be licensed, insured and certified for the work to be performed.
Experience. The contractor you select should have many years in the insulation business and have expertise working with the many different types of insulation. With this experience, you can be sure that they will be able to install the insulation type best suited for your situation.
Trucks & Equipment. Especially with spray foam insulation, you will want a contractor that has a multi-truck fleet at their disposal so that they can quickly replace a truck that breaks down.
Reputation. Check the references of the contractor or research online for testimonials for the contractors you are considering. Knowing the track record of the contractor will give you a good indication if they are the right contractor for you.
Do you charge for an estimate?
No, our estimates are free of charge.
What areas do you service?
Our main location is in Waterloo but we also service the following areas:
- Brampton
- Brantford
- Burlington
- Guelph
- Hamilton
- Kitchener-Waterloo
- Listowel
- Mississauga
- Oakville
- Stratford
- Toronto
- Woodstock
What are the timelines from getting an estimate to completing the job?
Most estimates can be seen within five business days. Once approved by you, the customer, most jobs can be completed within three weeks.
What is the first step for starting my project?
To get started on your project, give us a call or send us an email. We will then book an in-person consultation with one of our estimators.
