Drying Out Attic Insulation

Inadequate ventilation attics must be vented to allow moist warm air to escape.

Drying out attic insulation.

Locate the source of the water. Clothes dryers venting to your attic rather than outside firewood in your attic this type of wood encourages moisture in the air insufficient ventilation of warm moist air non existent or inadequate barrier between the attic and your. Moisture in the attic is relatively easy for homeowners to identify as it s usually. Choose from two types.

Trapped moisture encourages corrosion of roofing fasteners and. 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. Left untreated attic moisture contributes to mold and bacteria growth in the home. They sport insulation values of approximately r 6 5 and r 3 6 per inch respectively.

How to dry out an attic 1. If necessary use a dehumidifier. Drying a large area of soaked insulation as well as detecting mold is a labor intensive process. Box out light fixtures.

If it is in a closet move the clothes out of the closet so loose insulation won t stick to them. The joists are usually spaced every 16 inches. Clean up any standing water with large absorbent towels or a wet dry vacuum. Spray foam attic insulation.

Water is insulation s enemy. Identifying moisture in the attic. 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. It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow.

Put on protective gear such as gloves safety goggles and a breathing. How to dry out a wet attic top causes of attic moisture. Because fiberglass batts are relatively low cost instead of attempting to salvage wet possibly contaminated material the better option may be removal and replacement with new insulation. When walking in the attic in older houses step only on the wooden joists that cover the floor.

Wet insulation means trapped moisture that will slowly degrade the entire roofing system from the decking to the. Take a good flashlight and a tape measure. These conditions can compromise the health of occupants. A dehumidifier may be used to reduce moisture in the air.

Spray foam offers the best attic insulation performance available. If it s a leaky roof or pipe place buckets underneath the leak to collect the water. Drying out a wet attic. Coping with wet insulation.

Wet insulation increases the burden on the building itself and over time can lead to warping and other structural.