5 Summer Preparation Tips

Introduction


As summer approaches in Maine, homeowners often face challenges with under-insulated homes, skyrocketing air conditioning costs, and the lurking threat of mold growth. These issues not only impact comfort but can also lead to increased energy bills and health risks. Ensuring your home is properly prepped for the warmer months is essential for maintaining a comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient living environment. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore effective strategies for insulating your home, understanding and mitigating the dangers of mold growth, and taking advantage of financial incentives to make your home summer-ready.


How to Properly Insulate Your Home


Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to improve energy efficiency and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature during the hot summer months. Proper insulation not only reduces cooling costs but also helps to keep your home warm during the harsh Maine winters.


Understanding Insulation Types


There are several types of insulation available, each with its own advantages. The most common types include:

  • Fiberglass Insulation: Made from fine glass fibers, this type is commonly used in attics and wall cavities.
  • Spray Foam Insulation: A versatile option that expands to fill gaps, providing excellent air sealing and insulation.
  • Blown-In Insulation: Often made of cellulose or fiberglass, it is blown into place using special equipment, ideal for adding insulation to existing structures.


Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation


Spray foam insulation is particularly effective for Maine homes due to its superior insulating properties and air sealing capabilities. It helps to prevent air leaks, reduces energy bills, and provides a barrier against moisture, which is crucial in preventing mold growth. Additionally, spray foam can reach areas that other insulation types might miss, ensuring comprehensive coverage.


DIY Tips for Home Insulation


For those who prefer a hands-on approach, here are some DIY tips to improve your home’s insulation:

  1. Seal Gaps and Cracks: Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal gaps around windows, doors, and other openings.
  2. Add Insulation to the Attic: Consider using blown-in insulation for an easy and effective way to enhance your attic’s insulation.
  3. Install Reflective Barriers: Reflective barriers can be added to attic spaces to reduce heat gain.
  4. Insulate Pipes and Ducts: Wrap pipes and ducts with insulation to prevent heat loss and improve efficiency.

While these DIY methods can be effective, professional installation of spray foam or blown-in insulation offers a more thorough and long-lasting solution. Professional installers have the expertise and equipment to ensure your home is optimally insulated.


The Dangers of Mold Growth and Its Effects on You and Your Pets


Mold growth is a common problem in many homes, particularly in regions with high humidity like Maine. Mold not only damages property but also poses significant health risks to both humans and pets.


How Mold Grows in Maine Homes


Mold thrives in damp, humid environments, making under-insulated and poorly ventilated areas in your home prime targets. Common areas for mold growth include basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and attics. During the summer, increased humidity levels can exacerbate mold problems, especially if there is poor air circulation or water leaks.


Health Risks for Humans


Exposure to mold can cause a variety of health issues, including:

  • Allergic Reactions: Symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes.
  • Respiratory Problems: Mold spores can cause asthma attacks and other respiratory issues, particularly in individuals with pre-existing conditions.
  • Toxic Effects: Certain types of mold, such as black mold, can produce mycotoxins that are harmful when inhaled, potentially leading to severe health problems.


Health Risks for Pets


Pets are also susceptible to mold-related health issues. Symptoms in pets can include:

  • Respiratory Distress: Coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
  • Skin Irritations: Itchy skin, rashes, and fur loss.
  • Digestive Problems: Vomiting and diarrhea if mold-contaminated food or water is ingested.

Preventing mold growth is crucial for maintaining a healthy home environment. Ensuring proper insulation, ventilation, and addressing any water leaks promptly can help mitigate the risk of mold.


Take Advantage of a Free Inspection and Estimate


One of the best steps you can take to prep your home for summer is to get a professional inspection and estimate. This not only helps identify areas that need improvement but also ensures you are making informed decisions about home upgrades.


Efficiency Maine’s Rebate Program


Maine homeowners have access to fantastic financial incentives through Efficiency Maine’s rebate program. This program offers:


  • Minimum 40% Rebate: On qualifying home insulation projects.
  • Up to 100% Rebate: For income-eligible households, making energy efficiency upgrades accessible to everyone.


By taking advantage of these rebates, you can significantly reduce the cost of insulating your home, making it more affordable to improve comfort and energy efficiency.


Your Estimate and Rebate


Ready to make your home summer-ready? Don’t wait! Fill out our Get Started form or call us at (207) 777-6020 to schedule your free inspection and estimate today. With Efficiency Maine’s rebates, you can save big while ensuring your home is comfortable, energy-efficient, and mold-free.


Get Started
By Mattra Inc September 16, 2025
September in Maine: It's Time to Get Ready for the Cold The air is getting crisp, the days are getting shorter, and that first real chill of September is a reminder that winter is right around the corner. If you're anything like us, you're not exactly looking forward to those high heating bills. You’re probably picturing a drafty living room, cold floors, and that thermostat you keep nudging higher and higher just to feel comfortable. But what if you didn't have to? This isn't about just surviving another Maine winter; it’s about thriving. It’s about being truly comfortable in your own home, without the constant stress of watching your energy costs climb. The secret? Proper insulation and air sealing. Investing in your home's insulation now is the smartest thing you can do. It’s like putting money in the bank. You spend a little up front to save a lot later. We’ve seen it time and again—homeowners can slash their energy consumption by as much as half. Imagine what you could do with that extra cash every month. Our Solutions for a Warmer, Cozier Home At Mattra, we know what a Maine winter demands. That’s why we offer solutions that actually work. Closed Cell Spray Foam - This is our top-tier solution, and it’s a game-changer for a home’s efficiency. When applied, this foam expands into a dense, rigid material that creates an incredible air and moisture barrier. We use it to seal crawl spaces, basements, and exterior walls. Think about that cold basement feeling—spray foam completely eliminates it. By sealing those critical areas, you prevent a tremendous amount of heat loss and stop cold, damp air from entering your living space. This is more than just insulation; it's a complete building envelope upgrade that also adds structural integrity and helps prevent moisture issues and mold growth. It's the ultimate defense against the Maine elements. Blown-In Cellulose - Made from recycled paper products, blown-in cellulose is one of the most eco-friendly insulation options available. We use a powerful hose to blow the material into attics and enclosed wall cavities. The tiny paper fibers pack together to form a seamless blanket of insulation, leaving no gaps for air to escape. It's especially effective in attics, where heat naturally rises and escapes. A properly insulated attic can be the single biggest factor in lowering your heating costs. Beyond its thermal performance, cellulose also has excellent sound-dampening qualities, making your home quieter and more peaceful by blocking out exterior noise. Dense Packing Walls - For older homes that were built without any wall insulation—a common issue in Maine—dense packing is a perfect solution. Instead of tearing down all your interior walls, we can drill small holes and inject cellulose or other materials directly into the wall cavities. This fills every empty space behind your drywall or plaster. The material is packed in so tightly that it significantly reduces drafts and heat loss. It's a non-invasive way to bring an old home's energy performance up to modern standards, drastically improving comfort and saving you money without the mess and high cost of a full renovation. Targeted Air Sealing - Insulation is only half the battle. You could have the best insulation in the world, but if air is leaking in and out of your home, you're still wasting energy. We specialize in using foam to meticulously air seal the two biggest culprits for drafts: your basement and your attic. We target the penetrations where pipes, wires, and framing meet, which are often the main pathways for air leakage. By sealing these critical areas, we prevent the "stack effect," where warm air rises and escapes from the top of your house, pulling cold air in from the bottom. Sealing these areas with foam is a fundamental step that makes all other insulation work more effectively, ensuring your home holds onto the heat you’re paying for. This Is Where It Gets Even Better: Rebates! As a licensed vendor with Efficiency Maine , we can help you access substantial rebates for your weatherization project. This isn't just a small discount—we're talking about real money that makes a huge difference. You are entitled to at least $4,000 in rebates for your project, with the potential for even more depending on your income. We will personally guide you through the process, ensuring you receive every dollar you're entitled to from these incredible programs. This makes an already smart financial decision an absolute no-brainer. Don't wait for winter to sneak up on you. Let's make this year different. Reach out to us at Mattra today for a free consultation. We’d love to help you make your home the comfortable, energy-efficient sanctuary it should be.
By Mattra Inc August 18, 2025
That musty smell. The faint water stains on your attic ceiling. Maybe you’ve even spotted some unwelcome dark spots. If you’re a Maine homeowner, especially in our older homes, these could be signs of a serious problem brewing in your attic: condensation leading to mold growth. It's a more common issue than you might think, and it can have significant consequences for your home’s health and your wallet. Why is your Maine attic suddenly feeling like a rainforest? The culprit is often a perfect storm of factors we see frequently here at Mattra: a lack of proper air sealing and insufficient insulation. Think of your warm, humid indoor air rising into the colder attic space. Without proper air barriers, this warm, moisture-laden air sneaks through cracks and openings around wiring, plumbing, and light fixtures. Once this warm, moist air hits the cold surfaces in your uninsulated attic – like the roof sheathing – it cools rapidly. Just like water beading on a cold glass on a summer day, this cooling air releases its excess moisture in the form of condensation. And in a Maine winter, those surfaces stay cold for a long time! Several other common issues exacerbate this problem. That uninsulated attic hatch? It’s a direct pathway for warm, humid air to escape. An uninsulated chimney acts as another cold surface where condensation can form. And those bathroom and dryer vents that aren’t properly ducted to the outside? They’re pumping even more moisture directly into your attic – a recipe for disaster. So, what happens when all this condensation builds up? That’s where mold enters the picture. Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and out. They thrive in damp, dark environments with organic materials to feed on – like the wood in your attic. Consistent condensation provides the perfect breeding ground. As mold grows, it doesn't just create unsightly stains and that telltale musty odor. It actively deteriorates the materials it grows on. Over time, mold can weaken the structural integrity of your roof sheathing and rafters, leading to costly repairs. It can also damage any stored items in your attic. Beyond the structural damage, mold growth can also impact your indoor air quality. Mold spores can become airborne and circulate throughout your home, potentially triggering allergic reactions, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory issues for you and your family. As a licensed vendor with Efficiency Maine , we understand the importance of a healthy home environment. The good news? These attic issues are often fixable! Proper air sealing prevents that warm, humid air from entering the attic in the first place. Adequate insulation helps maintain a more consistent temperature in the attic, reducing those cold surfaces where condensation forms. Insulating the attic hatch and chimney are crucial details often overlooked. And ensuring your bathroom and dryer vents are correctly ducted to the exterior is essential for removing excess moisture from your home. Addressing attic condensation and mold growth is an investment in your home's long-term health and your family's well-being. If you suspect you have an issue in your Maine attic, don't wait for the problem to worsen. Contact the experts at Mattra right here in Lewiston. We can assess your attic, identify the sources of condensation, and recommend the best solutions for mold remediation and preventing future problems through proper air sealing and insulation. Protecting your Maine home starts from the top down!