It’s a common 2026 homeowner goal in Calgary: hit that R-60 insulation mark to slash heating bills and stay cozy. But there is a critical step many people skip in their rush to upgrade—the pre-insulation mold audit. 🔍🧤

Adding fresh insulation over an existing moisture problem is like putting a clean bandage over an infected wound. At Crack & Attic Doctor, we’ve seen “simple top-ups” turn into full-scale remediation projects because a hidden problem was buried. Here is why you must inspect for mold before you blow in that new cellulose or fiberglass.

1. The “Insulation Blanket” Traps Moisture 🌡️💧

Insulation is designed to stop heat transfer, but it also restricts airflow. If you have a minor leak or condensation issue on your roof sheathing, adding 12 inches of new insulation will trap that moisture against the wood.

The Result: Without the ability to “dry out,” a small damp spot becomes a thriving mold colony within weeks. By the time you notice the smell, the new insulation is contaminated and needs to be removed. 🏚️♻️

2. Buried Problems are Expensive to Fix 💸🧱

If mold is present on your attic floor or trusses and you cover it with new insulation, you’ve just doubled your future repair costs.

The Math: To treat the mold later, a crew will have to vacuum out all the new insulation you just paid for, treat the wood, and then replace the insulation again. A proactive inspection costs a fraction of a “do-over” project.

3. Blocked Ventilation is a Mold Magnet 🌬️🚫

Often, “DIY” or low-quality insulation top-ups accidentally block your soffit vents (the intake vents at the edge of your roof).

The Doctor’s Protocol: Our pre-top-up inspection ensures that your ventilation is clear. If we find existing mold, it’s usually a sign that your ventilation is already failing. We fix the airflow before we add the R-value.

4. Health Risks: The “Stack Effect” 🏠💨

Your home acts like a chimney; air rises from the basement and escapes through the attic. However, if your attic is full of mold spores and you disturb it by blowing in new insulation, those spores can be forced downward into your living space through pot lights and attic hatches.

Safety First: We ensure your attic is “clinically clean” so that your family breathes fresh air, not biological irritants. 👪✅

🩺 The Crack & Attic Doctor’s 2026 Audit

We don’t just “dump and run.” Every one of our insulation top-up projects begins with a Digital Attic Diagnostic, including:

Thermal Moisture Mapping: To find hidden leaks. 🌡️
Sheathing Analysis: Checking for “frost forest” damage. 🧊
Ventilation Flow Test: Ensuring your attic can breathe. 🌬️

📞 Schedule Your Pre-Insulation Audit

Don’t bury a disaster. Get the facts before you upgrade.

Phone: 📱 (403)-321-2623
Email: 📧 crackandatticdoctor@gmail.com
Website: 🌐 www.cracknattic.ca

📍 Head Office: 715, 100, 4th Av SW, Calgary, Alberta

🌍 Serving: Calgary, Cochrane, Airdrie, Chestermere, Okotoks, and High River.

Don’t Trap the Problem: Why a Mold Inspection is Mandatory Before Your Insulation Top-Up