CHATTANOOGA Blog

Is My Insulation Ruined if It Gets Wet?

Even with the very best routine maintenance and attention to detail, experiencing water damage as a homeowner is always a risk we run. Water can affect many of your building materials, like your floors and drywall, almost instantly.

The good news is that many of our insulation materials are water-resistant! While that can help deter water from compromising your insulation, there are always circumstances that require a replacement of your insulation.

Check out our blog all about wet insulation below to learn more.

How Your Insulation Can Get Wet in the First Place

Many times, the reason for wet insulation is a dreaded roof leak! Since we aren’t constantly checking our roof lines and attics, a roof leak can start and grow quickly before you even notice what is happening. As water leaks down your walls, it can soak through your insulation, and depending on the type, it can render it ineffective.

In addition, insulation can get wet through a stubborn draft that pulls in moisture, a plumbing leak behind your walls, and even through your basement floor if your crawl space floods or is continually damp. When you discover your wet insulation, acting quickly is of the utmost importance.

Moisture, Mildew and Damage… Oh My!

If the insulation that got wet was batt insulation or blown-in insulation, chances are you will need to remove all of the compromised insulation and have it replaced. This is due to the fact that these materials can be hard to completely dry out, which can cause a whole host of problems wherever the leak occurred.

Lingering moisture can cause mildew to appear and eventually can cause mold to take hold.

This can be hazardous to your family’s health, and it can even eat away at your home’s structural integrity over time. That is why it is so important to act quickly and give us a call as soon as you discover the problem!

What Our Koala Crew Can Do

Once you give us a call, we are on the case. We will inspect the area in question and offer up our professional opinion.

Oftentimes, we will recommend a replacement just to be 100% sure your home is returned to the same level of efficiency and comfort. Before we insulate, we will remove the damaged insulation and can even seal up the leak for you to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Then we can install new, fresh insulation that will last for years to come.

Moving forward, you should do everything in your power to make sure this issue doesn’t happen again! Be an inspector in your own home, and check your attic frequently for signs of moisture. Catching a roof leak early can save you time, money and more wet insulation.

Wet insulation is never fun to deal with. Let our Koala Insulation of Chattanooga team handle it for you.