My Attic Insulation Is Wet

It will need to be replaced immediately as it will lose its effectiveness to keep your home comfortable.

My attic insulation is wet.

These can include installation of seamless gutters and downspouts. When your cellulose insulation gets wet you need to sit up and pay attention. Once this is done the existing ventilation is usually more than enough to keep the attic dry. Moisture trapped inside of insulation is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

Be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent water damage to your home. The best solution for controlling moisture is at its source. Water in your attic can damage wood beams insulation and even. A moist attic means moist insulation and moist insulation is less effective.

It is important to stop air leaks because a heated house is much like a chimney. My cellulose insulation is wet. Though attics are typically hot and dry a leaky roof or pipe condensation or severe weather can cause water to enter your attic. Issues such as blocked vents a leaking roof or even basement flooding can cause attic insulation to get wet.

The best way to fix a wet attic is to stop air movement or leaks from the house. Wet insulation means trapped moisture that will slowly degrade the entire roofing system from the decking to the building itself. 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. Water is insulation s enemy.

If the problem is the result of water or moisture penetrating the foundation or floor slab there are many remedial actions which may help. The typical expected cause is water penetration from the exterior due to a defective roof covering. Box out light fixtures. 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.

You ll need to replace it all. If it starts to have a funny smell it s a sign that the water that contaminated the insulation was dirty. Trapped moisture encourages corrosion of roofing fasteners and rusting of steel studs and wall ties which reduce wind uplift ratings. It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow.

Carefully watch your insulation for the next couple of weeks. If insulation becomes moist or damp its rendered useless.