November 2, 2021
Plastic spiders and faux webs are a sure sign that Halloween is coming! But what does it mean when you start seeing real spider webs around your Charlotte, North Carolina home?
Spider webs in your home aren’t just spooky—they’re a sign that you need better air sealing and insulation. Spiders like to build webs around air leaks, where the airflow makes it easier to catch insects. You may not love finding these creepy crawlers in your home, but spiders can be a huge help when it comes to locating air leaks.
What Are Air Leaks?
Very few homes are airtight—most are full of small gaps, cracks, and openings, called air leaks. These openings can be anywhere between your home and the outdoors and between conditioned indoor spaces and unconditioned spaces, like the attic or crawl space. They’re commonly found around windows and doors, attic hatches, plumbing vents, recessed lighting, wiring holes, flues, and basement rim joists.
Air leaks make your home vulnerable to air infiltration, moisture, and pests, so it’s important to find and seal air leaks. Air sealing makes your insulation more effective and leads to greater home comfort, health, and energy efficiency.
Signs You Need Air Sealing in Your House
Spiders are like nature’s own energy auditors—they can show you exactly where the air leaks are in your home. But spider webs aren’t the only sign that your house needs air sealing. You should also be on the lookout for:
Drafty hallways or rooms
Rooms that are too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter
Overworked heating and cooling equipment
Increased energy bills
Excess dust and allergy symptoms
Moldy or musty smells, especially in the basement
What Are the Benefits of Home Insulation and Air Sealing?
Insulation and air sealing work better together. This is because insulation stops heat transfer, and air sealing stops air intrusion. Together, they’ll keep unwanted heat, hot air, and humidity out of your home in the summer, and trap heat inside during the winter.
Air sealing also helps keep your insulation clean and dry by blocking air that would otherwise travel through it. Air carries moisture and pollutants with it, which can get trapped inside your insulation if your home isn’t air sealed. Wet insulation is significantly less effective and it can also harbor mold. Proper insulation and air sealing lead to:
A more comfortable home
Better indoor air quality
Less heat loss and energy waste
Lower energy costs
Standard Insulating Company is Charlotte’s Go-To Local Insulation and Air Sealing Company
Have questions about pests and air sealing or pests and insulation? Want to improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and health? Standard Insulating Company is here to help.
We’ve been in business since 1945 and are one of the most experienced insulation contractors in Charlotte, NC. Whether you know exactly where your home needs better insulation and air sealing (thank you, spider friends) or you know there’s a problem but you’re not sure where it’s stemming from, our team can help. We offer a free energy analysis to help you understand how your home works and where it’s losing energy.