Wet Cellulose Insulation In Attic

Have them repaired or replaced if needed.

Wet cellulose insulation in attic.

Loss of insulating value. Saturated insulation typically loses at least 40 of its insulating r value. Cellulose can settle by up to 20 meaning more insulation will need to be added at a later date. Sure there s insulation in your attic and crawlspace.

Thanks to its borate treatment mold will not form on cellulose insulation. Coping with wet insulation. If cellulose becomes wet it absorbs up to 130 water making it a possible weight problem over your head as well as a mold mildew problem. When walls are already finished injecting loose fill cellulose insulation is one of the few ways of adding.

Loose fill cellulose insulation can settle around and conform to most of the obstructions found in walls and attics. But there s probably nothing to prevent air from moving past plumbing air duct and electrical penetrations. Before even calling any insulation companies have your attic checked by an hvac professional for loose torn damaged or old air ducts. Or whole house fans.

Here are some tips and precautions that should be taken. In this unfortunate journey i have learned a lot about cellulose insulation and insulation installers. Loose fill cellulose is relatively inexpensive yet still has an r value of about 3 5 per inch of thickness compared to fiberglass r value between r3 to r4 per inch. If you discover wet cellulose insulation in your attic walls or crawlspace you have a few options for dealing with the problem.

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. Pros and cons of cellulose attic insulation. With respect to wood moisture the study reported sections of the frame adjacent to the dry insulation showed normal absorption. If you hire a pro they use wet spray cellulose which adds a small amount of water to help control the dust and to slightly increase the insulation value per inch.

Let the insulation dry out. What to do with wet cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation and mold. The study also concluded wet blown cellulose is not an effective air barrier.

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. But mold will form on wood studs and drywall in contact with wet cellulose. Cellulose provides an r value of approximately 3 5 per inch. Wet insulation no longer performs its primary function of inhibiting heat transfer.

I love the ability of cellulose to control air movement. Or attic staircase hatches.