Wet Insulation In Attic

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.

Wet insulation in attic.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Coping with wet insulation. Let the insulation dry out. 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.

Small black and or greenish colored dots on insulation boxes or other materials is a sign of an exceedingly high moisture content in the air. 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. Wet insulation is inefficient but more immediately it can be a hidden risk. When a leak allows water to seep in through.

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. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. If you choose to install cellulose yourself you can buy the insulation in bags from your local home improvement store.

Wet insulation is bad for your roof your building and its occupants. If you can ensure good air sealing and insulation the attic will remain cool and dry as if it were outside. Once dry return the insulation to the wall or floor cavity where it came from. For example it is rare to see moisture problems or ice damming on the roof of a detached garage or unheated barn.

Prolonged wetness will rot out the roof sheathing. Disposal fees all dumpster rental and disposal fees should be included in your contractor s itemized quote. Pros and cons of cellulose attic insulation. What to do about a wet attic.

Keep in mind that these dump fees may be more expensive when removing hazardous or asbestos containing materials. To help fiberglass insulation dry out place a dehumidifier or fan in the area. Saturated insulation typically loses at least 40 of its insulating r value. If possible remove the affected batts and transfer them to a warm place to dry.

Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Wet insulation no longer performs its primary function of inhibiting heat transfer. You can also identify moisture problems in the attic by the formation of condensation on windows and glass surfaces. 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.

What to do with wet cellulose insulation. When a roof leak leads to saturated insulation that insulation almost always needs to be replaced. Cellulose recycled ground up paper with boric acid added for insect control and fire resistance offers a better attic insulation option than batts. Drying out a wet attic.

After all water is a conductor so wet fiberglass insulation is about as effective as no insulation at all.