Thanks to its borate treatment mold will not form on cellulose insulation.
Wet cellulose insulation in attic.
Or attic staircase hatches.
I love the ability of cellulose to control air movement.
Loose fill cellulose is relatively inexpensive yet still has an r value of about 3 5 per inch of thickness compared to fiberglass r value between r3 to r4 per inch.
Cellulose insulation and mold.
Or whole house fans.
Have them repaired or replaced if needed.
If only a small area has gotten wet it may be easy to remove the damp fibers and let them dry for several days before reinstalling them.
Cellulose can settle by up to 20 meaning more insulation will need to be added at a later date.
Here are some tips and precautions that should be taken.
Loose fill cellulose insulation can settle around and conform to most of the obstructions found in walls and attics.
If you discover wet cellulose insulation in your attic walls or crawlspace you have a few options for dealing with the problem.
Loss of insulating value.
Sure there s insulation in your attic and crawlspace.
With respect to wood moisture the study reported sections of the frame adjacent to the dry insulation showed normal absorption.
If you hire a pro they use wet spray cellulose which adds a small amount of water to help control the dust and to slightly increase the insulation value per inch.
Related to this we have seen some cellulose contactors still using small cans of spray polyurethane insulation to air seal new homes.
The two most common types of insulation fiberglass batts and blown in cellulose loose fill are vulnerable to attic water damage in two specific ways.
The study also concluded wet blown cellulose is not an effective air barrier.
What to do with wet cellulose insulation.
If the fiberglass within your wall cavity or in your attic becomes wet from a leaky roof or burst pipe it will lose insulating effectiveness until the material dries.
But there s probably nothing to prevent air from moving past plumbing air duct and electrical penetrations.
But mold will form on wood studs and drywall in contact with wet cellulose.
Let the insulation dry out.
In this unfortunate journey i have learned a lot about cellulose insulation and insulation installers.
Saturated insulation typically loses at least 40 of its insulating r value.
Before even calling any insulation companies have your attic checked by an hvac professional for loose torn damaged or old air ducts.
Cellulose provides an r value of approximately 3 5 per inch.
Wet insulation no longer performs its primary function of inhibiting heat transfer.
If cellulose becomes wet it absorbs up to 130 water making it a possible weight problem over your head as well as a mold mildew problem.
In spite of all their benefits neither fiberglass nor cellulose insulation provides an adequate air seal.
