Wet insulation no longer performs its primary function of inhibiting heat transfer.
Wet insulation in attic ofcondo.
While fiberglass is technically waterproof inside an enclosed attic the thick batt retains moisture which degrades its thermal resistance properties.
Even if you must remove most or all of the.
Top causes of attic moisture.
Animal intruders such as bats or squirrels or water leaking through the top floor ceiling.
For many years building codes have required high levels of attic insulation making attics less than hospitable places.
Moisture trapped inside of insulation is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
People usually go into their attics for one of two reasons.
Let the insulation dry out.
Clothes dryers venting air to the attic rather than outside.
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 over time.
Air conditioner condensate pan not draining.
Saturated insulation typically loses at least 40 of its insulating r value.
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.
Trapped moisture encourages corrosion of roofing fasteners and rusting of steel studs and wall ties which reduce wind uplift ratings.