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You should not put fiberglass insulation in basements, since fiberglass is known to trap mold and mold is more commonly grown and produced in basements. You should also avoid placing insulation near water heaters, oil burners, or other hot appliances. For more information about the best and worst places to install insulation, consider hiring an insulation professional.

You do not always need to remove old insulation before adding new. If the existing insulation is in good condition—not wet, physically damaged, moldy, or infested with pests—you can add new insulation directly on top of it for a compounding effect. You can also mix different types, such as adding blown-in insulation around existing fiberglass batts.

However, removal is recommended if the old insulation is compromised by water damage or pests. You should also remove it if you plan to install a different type of insulation, like switching from roll or batt insulation to spray foam. If the existing insulation is very old or damaged, you will likely get more benefit from removing it and starting fresh.

Garage door insulation can last anywhere from 20 to 100 years depending on the type of insulation. Cellulose has the shortest lifespan coming in at between 20 and 30 years, while spray foam, mineral wool, and fiberglass can last between 80 and 100 years with proper maintenance. 

Humidity plays a role in how long more susceptible insulation materials—like fiberglass—last. Once fiberglass batts reach the 15-year mark, you'll need to routinely inspect your insulation to ensure that it is in mint order.

Yes, proper insulation in your attic or ceiling can help prevent ice dams. When attic spaces are too warm, they cause the snow on the roof over those areas to melt more quickly than the rest of the roof and then travel downward to a colder section of the roof where they refreeze. If less heat is allowed to escape from underneath the roof, snow will melt at a more consistent rate, making ice dams less likely.