Wet Insulation In Attic

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.

Wet insulation in attic. 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. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. If you discover wet cellulose insulation in your attic walls or crawlspace you have a few options for dealing with the problem. Wet insulation no longer performs its primary function of inhibiting heat transfer.

Prolonged wetness will rot out the roof sheathing. What to do about a wet attic. For example it is rare to see moisture problems or ice damming on the roof of a detached garage or unheated barn. Once dry return the insulation to the wall or floor cavity where it came from.

Cellulose recycled ground up paper with boric acid added for insect control and fire resistance offers a better attic insulation option than batts. What to do with wet cellulose insulation. When a roof leak leads to saturated insulation that insulation almost always needs to be replaced. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.

After all water is a conductor so wet fiberglass insulation is about as effective as no insulation at all. Insulation sits just below the roof s membrane. Loss of insulating value. If you choose to install cellulose yourself you can buy the insulation in bags from your local home improvement store.

For many homeowners replacing attic insulation is a great opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of your home. If you can ensure good air sealing and insulation the attic will remain cool and dry as if it were outside. There are many signs that an attic is wet. Coping with wet insulation.

Wet insulation is bad for your roof your building and its occupants. 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. When a leak allows water to seep in through. Pros and cons of cellulose attic insulation.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Disposal fees all dumpster rental and disposal fees should be included in your contractor s itemized quote. Let the insulation dry out. Keep in mind that these dump fees may be more expensive when removing hazardous or asbestos containing materials.

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. Drying out a wet attic. 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.

You can also identify moisture problems in the attic by the formation of condensation on windows and glass surfaces.