Insulation Damp In Attic

Saturated insulation typically loses at least 40 of its insulating r value.

Insulation damp in attic.

The best solution for controlling moisture is at its source. Loss of insulating value. Common causes of condensation in the attic. And to make matters worse these holes are not easily identified unless it s raining.

A roof timbers within an attic can become damp from two sources. It is common for poorly vented and insulated attics to develop attic condensation. Instead this type of venting pulls hotter air into your attic where it naturally rises up to the roof s peak. This accumulation can leak through the attic floor and into your living space.

Roof ventilation is a passive system. Noticeable musky damp odor. Look for water stains on the roof sheathing or damp or moldy spots on attic joists and existing insulation as a clue to where leaks might be. Coping with wet 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 out.

Allowing moisture to build up inside your attic can lead to a wide range of problems later down the road. Large concentrations of this toxic black mold may cause allergies respiratory infections and other alignments. Unless you re using mineral wool insulation or your fixtures are rated safe for contact with any type of insulation don t allow the material to touch or cover recessed cans or lights from the floor below it s a fire hazard. Box out light fixtures.

A moist attic means moist insulation and moist insulation is less effective. The typical expected cause is water penetration from the exterior due to a defective roof covering. This means there is no engine circulating air through the vents. This condensation can form droplets of water and accumulate into the insulation below.

If the problem is the result of water or moisture penetrating the foundation or floor slab there are many remedial actions which may help. You may notice small black spots of mold forming on the insulation boxes and even the framework in your attic. These can include installation of seamless gutters and downspouts. Wet insulation no longer performs its primary function of inhibiting heat transfer.

Insulation plus of sarasota offers quality blown in insulation radiant barrier insulation and solar attic fans to keep your home cool and save on energy costs. 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. With our professional insulation crew we can quickly remove insulation if necessary and install new insulation to r 38 sarasota.