Starting in 1965, the United States began enforcing building codes which required all houses to be constructed with insulated walls. If a home was built previous to 1965, there are a few different methods to check if the walls are insulated.
Method One: Inspect An Unnoticed Part Of The House
- The easiest way to look for insulation in a wall, is to find a part of the house that goes unnoticed. Places to check include: closets, above kitchen cabinets, or any nooks and crannies hidden from direct eyesight.
- Locate the studs in the wall by using a stud finder, and then cut a small hole with a 3/4-inch hole saw. Use a flashlight and a wire hanger with a bent end to inspect for insulation.
Method Two: Inspect A Gap Behind A Baseboard
- Another way to inspect a wall for insulation, is to check behind a baseboard. During construction, some contactors may leave a gap between drywall and the floor, which is then covered by a baseboard.
- Carefully wedge a prybar behind the baseboard and pull the board away from the wall. If a gap in the wall is present, insulation may be detected by looking into the gap with a flashlight or by inserting a wire hanger with a bent end and pulling down whips of insulation.
Method Three: Cut A Hole Behind A Baseboard
- If there is not a gap in the wall after prying away the baseboard, a small hole can instead be drilled about 2 inches off the floor with a 3/4-inch hole saw. Ensure the hole is still low enough to be covered back up by the baseboard. Insulation may be caught into the hole saw while drilling or pulled down by a wire hanger with a bent end.
Method Four: Remove Electrical Boxes
- One more method to detect a wall’s insulation, is by removing electrical boxes. After unscrewing a cover plate on an electrical outlet or light switch, insulation may be seen thought the tiny spaces between the box and wall. If the electrical box is not nailed into the stud, it may also be removed in order to check for insulation.
- First, shut off the circuit to the power box and use a no-touch circuit tester to check for power. Next, the device is disconnected from the circuit wires and the box is removed from the wall. Now, the wall can be inspected for insulation by using a flashlight and a wire hanger with a bent end. After the inspection, re-connect the circuit wires to the box, place the box back inside the wall, attach the cover plate and turn the power back on.
If the walls were lacking insulation or under insulated, call Rockford Insulation Pros for a Free Estimate and create a more comfortable home today!
References:
Wallender, Lee. “How to Tell If Walls Are Insulated.” The Spruce, The Spruce, 14 Aug. 2021, https://www.thespruce.com/is-there-insulation-in-your-walls-1822003.
Ringler, Amanda. “When Did They Start Using Insulation in Homes?” RetroFoam of Michigan, 29 Apr. 2019, https://www.retrofoamofmichigan.com/blog/home-insulation-history.