Quick Answer
Okay, so here's the quick version. If your house has cold spots or you're feeling drafts, nine times out of ten it's because your wall insulation is old, settled, or was never there to begin with. Air leaks are the other big culprit. You can fix the simple stuff like sealing outlets and windows for under $50. But if the problem is inside the walls, you're looking at professional help for blown-in insulation, which can run anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000 or more depending on the size of your house and the type of insulation. It's a real investment, but so is your heating bill.
Common Symptoms
Possible Causes
Step-by-Step Diagnosis
Step 1
Do a visual and touch inspection. Feel the walls for cold spots and look for obvious cracks and gaps in caulk around windows, doors, and baseboards.
Step 2
On a windy day, light an incense stick and hold it near potential leak spots like outlets and window frames. If the smoke wavers, you've found a draft.
Step 3
Use an infrared thermometer to scan the walls. Point and shoot at different spots to find specific cold areas that indicate missing insulation.
Step 4
If you have access, inspect the tops of your walls from the attic and the bottom of your walls (rim joist) from the basement or crawlspace for visible signs of missing insulation.
Step 5
For a definitive diagnosis, hire a pro for a home energy audit with a blower door test. It's the only way to find every single leak.
DIY vs Professional Costs
| Repair Type | DIY Cost | Professional Cost | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
Seal Air Leaks (Caulk & Gaskets) | $20 - $100 | $200 - $800 | 4-8 hours |
Insulate Rim Joists (Basement) | $150 - $400 | $750 - $2,000 | 1 day |
Blown-In Wall Insulation | $500 - $1,500+ (rental/materials) | $2,000 - $7,000+ | 1-2 days |
Professional Energy Audit | N/A | $300 - $600 | 2-4 hours |
When to Call a Professional Insulation
- You've already sealed all the obvious air leaks with caulk and foam gaskets, but the walls still feel like an icebox.
- When you see any signs of moisture, water stains, or smell a musty odor near the cold spots. This could mean mold, which you don't want to mess with.
- If you need to add insulation to existing, closed-off walls. A professional with a blower machine can do the job much faster and more effectively than a DIY attempt.
- When you want a complete picture of your home's energy loss. A professional energy audit with a blower door test is the only way to find all the hidden problems.
Prevention Tips
- Regularly inspect and re-apply exterior caulk around windows, doors, and any pipe or wire penetrations. Don't let small cracks turn into big leaks.
- Install cheap foam gaskets behind all electrical outlet and switch covers on your exterior walls. It's easy and effective.
- Control indoor humidity by using bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to prevent moisture from getting into wall cavities and ruining your insulation.
- If you're doing a renovation that opens up a wall, take the opportunity to upgrade the insulation with professionally installed spray foam or dense-packed cellulose.
Frequently Asked Questions
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