Wood fiber insulation for example can soak up surrounding water and compromise a wide area of a roof.
Will wet attic insulation dry out.
Drying out a wet attic.
Let the insulation dry out.
When fiberglass insulation gets wet water droplets displace the air in the spaces between the fine glass fibers which greatly reduces the material s thermal and acoustic.
Open the windows at the first sign of moisture and use fans to help speed drying.
What to do with wet cellulose insulation.
How to dry out a wet attic.
Water in your attic can damage wood.
How different types of insulation handle water.
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.
Be sure however to drain it frequently in order to sustain its usefulness.
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.
Loss of insulating value.
Though attics are typically hot and dry a leaky roof or pipe condensation or severe weather can cause water to enter your attic.
You can also check for condensation on the windows or a mildew like odor within the space.
Wetness existing even just for a few days will not only reduce the insulating quality of the insulation but it might not dry soon enough to prevent mold and wood decay from.
To spot attic moisture look for visible signs of a problem including wet or moldy insulation.
Once dry return the insulation to the wall or floor cavity where it came from.
You can also identify moisture problems in the attic by the formation of condensation on windows and glass surfaces.
If you discover wet cellulose insulation in your attic walls or crawlspace you have a few options for dealing with the problem.
Isocyanurate in certain cases can be exposed to dry out and put back in place.
After all water is a conductor so wet fiberglass insulation is about as effective as no insulation at all.
How to dry out an attic.
Wet insulation no longer performs its primary function of inhibiting heat transfer.
Whether a leak requires a 300 repair or a 10 000 repair has a lot to do with the type of insulation.
Wet insulation in a wall will migrate to the bottom soaking the wallboard and framing materials.
A dehumidifier will cease to remove any more moisture once its storage tank becomes full.
A dehumidifier could be the perfect solution for drying out the air in your 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.
