Leaky Roof Wet Insulation

The interior of the roof may have structural deficiencies as a result.

Leaky roof wet insulation. You ll probably notice this in your energy bill because as. Look for damp spots on the underside of your roof. If you have a leaky roof you d better fix it immediately even if it doesn t bother you much or you re getting a new roof next year. Coping with wet insulation 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.

Lift the insulation in this area to find the pooling water. Loss of insulating value. Even over a short time small leaks can lead to big problems such as mold rotted framing and sheathing destroyed insulation and damaged ceilings. As a loose fill product cellulose relies on its natural fluffiness to fill the space while leaving insulating air pockets between the fibers.

Insulation in the attic is often the first victim when roof leaks occur or when plumbing pipes routed through the attic leak. Look for leaks in the roof especially around chimneys plumbing vents and attic vents anything that penetrates the roof sheathing. Within a short amount of time the insulation in a roof can develop mold. If your roof is leaking right now go into the attic with a flashlight and some chalk to mark with while it s raining.

Your cellulose or fiberglass insulation becomes saturated and it takes a long time for it to dry out. Also look for a thin stream of water flowing down one of the rafters. Insulation sits just below the roof s membrane. Wet insulation increases the burden on the building itself and over time can lead to warping and other structural damage.

A small leak is all it takes. Excessive moisture causes the cellulose to sag and settle an effect that is especially detrimental in wall cavities. Insulation damage and mold if water drips from a roof leak onto your attic insulation the insulation clumps and loses its effectiveness. Sometimes the water runs along the attic floor for quite a distance before coming through the ceiling.

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. High utility bills are another side effect of a leaking roof as water intrusion is detrimental to the insulation in attic area.