Wet Insulation In Roof

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.

Wet insulation in roof.

First identify wet areas in the roof. Read here about the problems caused by wet insulation and what you can do about them. 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. Wet insulation in a closed wall cavity will usually not rapidly dry out.

That s because recovering a roof deck will likely only cause the roof to blister or cause other serious problems that won t be covered by a warranty. There are two ways moisture problems can occur in flat roofs. 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. Some roofing contractors will spray foam over wet insulation because once the job is complete they don t want anything to do with the roof.

Wall systems and the insulation inside them can get wet from construction or design flaws. Wet insulation can cause myriad building problems from troubles with structural integrity to issues of energy efficiency and occupant health. Water from outside somehow finds its way to seep into the insulation or water from the inside condenses and accumulates usually due to poor ventilation. Recovering a wet roof deck won t make the problem go away.

There are two possible reasons roof insulation could get wet. If you use air permeable cavity insulation batts blow in or sprayed cellulose or fiberglass you must install enough rigid insulation on top of the roof sheathing to provide condensation control table r806 5 sets up the r value ratios by climate that define how thick this rigid insulation needs to be. Loss of insulating value. Insulation in the attic is often the first victim when roof leaks occur or when plumbing pipes routed through the attic leak.

Trapped moisture encourages corrosion of roofing fasteners and rusting of steel studs and wall ties which reduce wind uplift ratings. Coping with wet insulation. Moisture trapped inside of insulation is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Wet insulation means trapped moisture that will slowly degrade the entire roofing system from the decking to the building itself.

Wet insulation in a wall will migrate to the bottom soaking the wallboard and framing materials. If you detect that the insulation in your home is wet it is crucial to find out where it comes from. To understand this problem it s important to find out why it happens in the first place. Of course the insulation can also get wet before it is laid but this can easily be avoided if the material is properly stored.

By infiltration or condensation. How insulation gets wet.