Replacing Wet Attic Insulation

Soaked cellulose insulation will retain absorbed water for an extended time and resists drying.

Replacing wet attic insulation.

If a small area has been damaged it can be removed dried and replaced. Be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent water damage to your home. 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. When a roof leak leads to saturated insulation that insulation almost always needs to be replaced.

Blown foam is ideal as it air seals as well as insulates. Cut pieces of extruded polystyrene will help as well. It is more easy to dry out than cellulose insulation however and the same principles may be used when considering a wetted area of cotton insulation. Issues such as blocked vents a leaking roof or even basement flooding can cause attic insulation to get wet.

While most blown in insulation contains cellulose fibers if the house was built. Because it requires professional installation closed cell foam insulation is pricey but. Fiberglass batts will eventually dry if lifted up and exposed to warmth and sustained air circulation. If insulation becomes moist or damp its rendered useless.

Insulation sits just below the roof s membrane. And in the warmer months proper insulation and venting in the attic provides the thermal break necessary to keep all that warm air in the attic moving and out of your living space. However if active mold growth is evident. Wet insulation is bad for your roof your building and its occupants.

Coping with wet insulation. Loose fill insulation fibers are packaged in bags and blown in place to the desired depth and density using special. Cotton insulation as again a plant fiber is prone to collecting moisture. How to replace the blown attic insulation with closed cell foam closed cell foam insulation.

Mount a piece of extruded polystyrene 25 mm 1 inch from the sheathing to maintain the ventilation air space and fill between this board and the attic floor with good insulation. Wet insulation is inefficient but more immediately it can be a hidden risk. Removing the old insulation. It will need to be replaced immediately as it will lose its effectiveness to keep your home comfortable.