Trusted Radon Testing & Mitigation Company in Higganum, CT

This homeowner in Higganum, CT called us hoping we would be able to help him with his attic. He was looking to get some insulation done in his home. He had received an energy audit and it identified issues in his attic and walls. Since attics are vented, we should think of them thermally as outside in the winter. In summer because of the suns radiant heat, they are much worse than outside, reaching 130˚ on summer days. Clearly, we need to keep an absolute boundary between our living space and the attic so inside air doesn’t move to the attic in the heating season (convection), and heat doesn’t pass up through our ceilings in winter (conduction), and down from our ceilings in the hot summer (conduction, radiation). To reduce overall air leakage, the attic is the first priority because warm air rises to the top of the house and finds any and all holes to leak out into the cold vented attic and is lost. Holes, gaps and joints include between drywall and framing at the top of walls, around pipes, wires, electric boxes, fixtures, duct, penetrations, ceiling grilles and joints in framing. And the only reason cold air leaks in from the outside at the lower levels of the house, is that warm air leaked out of the top and created a suction at the bottom. 

We had the perfect solution for this homeowner. Adding insulation in an attic without sealing all air leaks first should never be done, because it is just burying air leaks and making them impossible to seal later - and insulation DOES NOT STOP air leaks. That’s why, in this solution, we first carefully air seal the many various points where air from the home leaks up into the attic and is lost. Our premium TruSoft™ cellulose insulation is blown to the optimum R-value (typically R60). TruSoft™ will not burn, get moldy, or attract pests. Blown insulation fills all gaps and odd shaped voids, and by filling over framing members, “thermal bridging” is avoided.

This homeowner in Higganum, CT called us stating that she was having issues with her allergies. She believed it was due to mold, but was not sure. She wanted to ensure that if it was mold, that the problem was fixed as soon as possible. When our Home Comfort Specialist came out to the home, he noted that there was mold in the basement of the home.  High relative humidity in will cause mold to grow on the surfaces of framing lumber, insulation, walls, and everywhere else. Spores are the airborne seeds of mold, which are produced when the mold is growing and active. These spores float on airstreams up into the living space, and people with sensitivities can react to them. 

We helped this homeowner by utilizing our Mold-X2 Cleaner and Mold-X2 Botanical treatments. Mold-X2 Cleaner effectively eliminates mold and mildew stains on contact. It is non-abrasive and non-flammable, and was sprayed on the effected areas. Once Mold-X2 Cleaner is applied, mold disappears instantly. Mold-X2 Botanical, a plant-based disinfectant with a pleasant, temporary scent, was then sprayed on all effected surfaces, which prevents mold from growing back. Results – The mold is eliminated, with no odors or potential for wood rot. The basement is now ready for other solutions! 

This homeowner in Higganum, CT called us saying that she had mold issues in her home that were triggering her allergies. When our Home Comfort Specialist arrived to the home, he noted that there was insufficient fiberglass insulation in her attic. That, combined with the lack of air sealing set the attic up to be extremely humid, which was causing the homeowner's mold problem. Since attics are vented, we should think of them thermally as outside in the winter. In summer because of the suns radiant heat, they are much worse than outside, reaching 130˚ on summer days. Clearly, we need to keep an absolute boundary between our living space and the attic so inside air doesn’t move to the attic in the heating season (convection), and heat doesn’t pass up through our ceilings in winter (conduction), and down from our ceilings in the hot summer (conduction, radiation). To reduce overall air leakage, the attic is the first priority because warm air rises to the top of the house and finds any and all holes to leak out into the cold vented attic and is lost. Holes, gaps and joints include between drywall and framing at the top of walls, around pipes, wires, electric boxes, fixtures, duct, penetrations, ceiling grilles and joints in framing. And the only reason cold air leaks in from the outside at the lower levels of the house, is that warm air leaked out of the top and created a suction at the bottom. Attics are dramatically under-insulated compared to today’s standards. Result - cold drafty rooms downstairs, colder floors, house is harder to heat and keep comfortable, higher fuel and electric bills.

Adding insulation in an attic without sealing all air leaks first should never be done, because that is just burying air leaks and making them impossible to seal later - and insulation DOES NOT STOP air leaks. That’s why Fogarty's Home Services first carefully air sealed the many various points where air from the home leaked up into the attic and is lost. Our premium TruSoft™ cellulose insulation was blown to the optimum R-value (typically R60). TruSoft™ will not burn, get moldy, or attract pests. Blown insulation fills all gaps and odd shaped voids, and by filling over framing members, “thermal bridging” is avoided. Results - a warmer, more comfortable, less drafty house that the homeowner will notice everywhere - even downstairs! House is quieter. Fuel and electric bills are lower.