Blog – Page 3

Mar 24 2020

How Our Blown-In Insulation Machine Works

Valley Insulation specializes in high-quality Nu-Wool cellulose insulation. Our blown-in insulation fills your attic to the proper depth, and it completely fills your walls up to 3-½ inches thick. In today’s blog from Valley Insulation, we describe how our blown-in insulation machine works.

One Giant Vacuum in Reverse

Our blown-in insulation machine works a lot like a giant vacuum in reverse. Instead of sucking in air, it blows air out using a powerful motor. Like a vacuum, our machine uses hoses to deliver the material.

It’s Loud

A blown-in insulation machine gets loud once it’s turned on. Luckily, we keep our machine in the back of one of our heavy-duty trucks. The machine never enters your building. All we do is bring long hoses that run from the truck to any room in your building. This method saves us time so we can get the job done faster. Don’t worry, our lengths of hose are very secure and attached firmly to the machine. They’re also heavy-duty, so they don’t get holes or tears.

Blocks of Material

Nu-Wool premium cellulose insulation comes in rectangular blocks of 25 pounds, each wrapped in plastic. Our insulation experts unwrap each block and place them into a large open bin above the blower, referred to as the hopper. Churning rods in the hopper break up the cellulose insulation into small pieces that quickly move through the hose to the delivery point.

Blowing the Cellulose Insulation

In an attic, our team sweeps the hose back and forth as if we’re watering your lawn. The blown-in insulation piles up in even layers. We apply insulation that’s anywhere from 13 to 20 inches thick, which is more than enough to cover the rafters of your attic. Nu-Wool premium cellulose insulation has an R-value of 3.8 per inch, and the minimum R-value for your attic should be 49.

For walls, we handle blown-in insulation a bit differently. Existing buildings need carefully drilled holes towards the top of each wall cavity in between the wall studs. These holes give us a way to blow insulation into the wall. New construction allows us to blow insulation much faster, from bottom to top, and then we trim back any excess material to re-use for later. Every bit of every wall receives up to 3-½ inches of insulation that fills around pipes, electrical conduits, switches, and outlets before the drywall goes on.

Blown-In Insulation From Valley Insulation

Valley Insulation is a leading expert on blown-in insulation in and around Cincinnati, Ohio. We’ve been insulating the Ohio River Valley since 1977, nearly 40 years, and we’re proud to serve you in any way possible. Contact Valley Insulation or call (513) 353-4100 for more information.

Mar 03 2020

Invest Your Income Tax Return on Home Improvements Like Quality Nu-Wool Insulation

Millions of Americans receive an income tax return every winter or spring. Why not consider investing your income tax return in a home improvement project? Not only does a home improvement project improve the value of your home, but you could also save money on utilities in the long run. Valley Insulation highlights how you can invest your income tax return on high-quality Nu-Wool insulation for your home.

Earn a Return on Your Investment

Cellulose insulation earns you a return on your investment based on how long you own your home. High-quality Nu-Wool insulation reduces the heat transfer between the inside and outside of your home. It also fills any gaps within your interior walls. Over time, lower utility bills may eventually add up to your initial investment in home insulation. The longer you own your home, the more money you could save.

Improve Your Home’s Value

New home insulation can improve your home’s value if you plan to sell it soon. Remodeling magazine found that in 2016 the average homeowner saw a 116 percent return on investment with new home insulation when selling their home within a year. If you spend $1,500 on insulation, 116 percent amounts to adding $1,740 of value to your home’s asking price. Nu-Wool insulation can help you achieve better home value if you plan to sell in the near future. Your actual results may vary.

Live More Comfortably

Over the long term, you want your family to live comfortably. Nu-Wool insulation resists bugs, mold, and fires. It also deadens sounds, which helps keep your home quieter when you consider traffic noise, your home theater system, loud appliances like vacuums, and the need for privacy. Sound deadening works both ways in that Nu-Wool insulation keeps outdoor sounds from interrupting your movie time, and it may prevent your neighbors or passersby from hearing what’s going on in your home.

Help Save the Environment

Your investment in Nu-Wool not only lowers your utility bills and makes your family more comfortable, but it also helps save the environment. 100 pounds of Nu-Wool insulation consists of 85 pounds of post-consumer newspapers. Every ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, and those trees absorb 250 pounds of carbon dioxide every year. Purchasing new home insulation can help us make planet Earth a better place to live.

Nu-Wool Insulation & Valley Insulation

Talk to Valley Insulation about installing high-quality Nu-Wool insulation in your home. Our professionals can put this cellulose insulation in your attic, interior walls, and exterior walls. Contact Valley Insulation today or call (513) 353-4100 for more information.

Feb 18 2020

The Cincinnati Insulation Experts Showcase a Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Cincinnati winters can be frigid. That’s why you need to take steps to make your home more comfortable for you and your family. Many of these steps are simple to complete and require minimal expense. The Cincinnati insulation experts at Valley Insulation showcase a winter home maintenance checklist to help you stay warm and cozy.

Test Smoke Detectors

Winter heating causes more than one-quarter of all structure fires during cold months, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Test your home’s smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they run properly. Each unit should have a “test” button on it. Your top Cincinnati insulation company wants your family to be safe this winter.

Check for Air Leaks

Check for air leaks around windows and exterior doors. Fix any cracks in the caulking or replace caulking that has peeled off. If cold air leaks into your home underneath doors, consider a door snake to keep cold air out. If you don’t want to get a door snake, roll up a towel and put it up against the bottom of your door. You shouldn’t have to bundle up just to stay warm in your own home! Cincinnati insulation contractors can help with air leaks in your home.

Examine the Fireplace and Chimney

Wood-burning fireplaces create a classic ambiance in your home. They’re also vital to your home’s winter heating. Look for cracks and debris in the chimney. Leaves and bird nests can create a fire hazard. Have your fireplace cleaned by a professional chimney sweep once a year. Your chimney works in concert with your home insulation to keep you warm and cozy, and Cincinnati insulation companies can install high-quality insulation for you.

Look Over Your Furnace

Make sure your furnace is in top working order during the winter. You don’t want a broken furnace when you need it the most. Keep any PVC vent pipes clear of obstructions. Change out the filter once per month to prevent dust build-up in your ductwork. Your thermostat should turn on and off when you set it. If anything seems amiss, consult with an HVAC specialist. Cincinnati insulation experts know that a top-notch HVAC system can lower your utility bills even more than just new insulation alone.

Valley Insulation: A Top Cincinnati Insulation Company

Valley Insulation, one of the best Cincinnati insulation companies in the business, wants your family to stay comfortable this winter. Perform yearly checks on your home during winter months to make sure everything is in working order. Contact Valley Insulation or call (513) 353-4100 for more information on the services we provide, including home insulation on new and existing residences as well as commercial insulation.

Jan 27 2020

Valley Insulation Explains Why You Need Proper Air Sealing to Lower Your Utility Bills

Before you add new home insulation or commercial insulation to your property, you must seal any air that may transfer between the inside and outside of your building. Air that travels freely between the structure and the outside reduces the effectiveness of your insulation and can even negate new insulation. In today’s blog from Valley Insulation, we explain why you need proper air sealing to lower your utility bills.

1. Helps Prevent Settling

Cellulose insulation like Nu-Wool may settle over time (usually several years). In walls, this settling can reduce the effectiveness of insulation if it’s installed incorrectly. Without proper sealing, air movement occurs inside the cavities within walls, causing insulation to settle faster. Air sealing helps prevent settling, which helps maintain the optimal level of cellulose insulation installed by Valley Insulation. Your building needs the correct level of insulation to lower your utility bills as much as possible.

2. Keeps Bugs Out

Small gaps that let air into your home may also bring bugs, such as ants, termites, moths, or even bees. Once pests get into your walls, attic, or crawlspace, they can hamper the properties of insulation. Insects can chew on, tear, and carry away insulation fibers as they construct a nest in your building. Air sealing keeps bugs out of the structure and out of the insulation. No bugs in the insulation means it works properly. Valley Insulation not only installs new commercial or home insulation, but we also remove old and damaged insulation that served as a home for bugs. Nu-Wool premium cellulose insulation installed by our techs is bug-resistant.

3. Stops Heat Transfer

The primary purpose of air sealing is to prevent heat transfer between your building and the outside. Air sealing keeps hot air out of your home in the summer and cold air away in the winter. Heat transfer is also the main purpose of home insulation. Air sealing, combined with premium cellulose insulation and an efficient HVAC system, gives you the best possible results for your utility bills.

Valley Insulation and Quality Cellulose Insulation

Valley Insulation can give you tips and advice on how to seal the air around your home. You might need to caulk around the windows, siding, foundation, electrical outlets, pipes, and more. Flashing around your chimney and flue also helps. Contact Valley Insulation or call (513) 353-4100 for more information on what we can do for you, such as installing quality cellulose insulation for your home or commercial property.

Jan 13 2020

How Cellulose Insulation Prevents Costly Ice Dams on Your Roof

Ice dams form on the roofs of buildings after snowstorms. They occur when the temperature of the roof warms up, melts the snow, and then causes water to trickle down towards the gutters. Once the water reaches the gutters, it refreezes and forms ice. The ice then weighs down the gutter and may cause damage, such as a broken gutter, sagging roof, or roof leak. In today’s blog from Valley Insulation, we discuss how cellulose insulation prevents costly ice dams on your roof.

1. Prevents Heat Transfer

Cellulose insulation in your attic forms a thick thermal barrier between the ceiling and the roof. The barrier prevents heat transfer from the warmth of your home to the cold surrounding your roof. The advantage of cellulose insulation in your attic is that technicians can add the insulation until it reaches the optimal level, often up to 2 feet thick. The material spreads out easily and evenly for the best results. This type of home insulation regulates temperatures in the attic, thereby preventing the snow from melting.

2. Seals Gaps

Sealing any gaps in your attic floor is just as crucial as cellulose insulation itself. Air can still seep up from your home into the attic because warm air rises. Once that warmer air hits the roof, it could start to melt the snow. Make sure you seal any gaps between your ceiling and attic. Do this with caulking or special tape. If your attic has any windows, make sure to seal them with the right kind of heavy-duty caulk. Cellulose insulation then comes into play to prevent heat transfer.

3. Keeps Heat Sources Away From the Attic

You may also have sources of heat in your attic that need attention. Recessed lighting, skylights, vents from exhaust vans, and HVAC ductwork may all radiate heat. Make sure you insulate these items to keep heat out of the attic and prevent snowmelt. The correct amount of cellulose insulation, combined with air sealing and heat source mitigation, keeps the roof’s temperature cold enough to prevent ice dams from forming.

Cellulose Insulation From Valley Insulation

The pros at Valley Insulation specialize in Nu-Wool cellulose insulation, a premium eco-friendly product made from recycled newspapers. We can come to your residence, install the right amount of home insulation in your attic or walls, and get the job done right. Contact Valley Insulation or call (513) 353-4100 for more details.

Insulation experts since 1977