What Happens if Insulation Gets Wet? | Koala Insulation of Northwest P
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 keep 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!
Water and Your Insulation
The top cause for wet insulation is roof leaks. If your insulation is in an easy-to-access area and you notice that it is wet, do some investigating in your attic.
The roof damage doesn’t have to be extensive for it to invite in a lot of water. Even the tiniest crack or gap along your roof line can be troublesome when it starts to rain. It is also possible for moisture to get into your home through an air leak, through the ground in your basement and even from a plumbing disaster.
If certain materials like fiberglass insulation and blown-in cellulose insulation get wet, they will experience a temporary reduction in performance. If you are able to ensure they are fully dried out, your insulation’s effectiveness should return in time. This can be hard to do if your compromised insulation is behind your walls or in a hard-to-reach area.
When Moisture Leads to Mildew
If you are unable to completely dry out your insulation or if the water leak goes unnoticed behind your walls, mildew and mold growth can become a problem. Not only will it render your insulation ineffective, but it will start to produce a lingering musty smell. Over time, it can start to affect your home’s structural integrity.
Mold can slowly start to eat away at your walls, beams, joists and floors. If they become weak enough, it can create dangerous conditions in your home. In addition, it can also reduce your indoor air quality and even be a health hazard to your family.
How Koala Can Help
When it comes to wet insulation, time is of the essence. Small water issues in an easily accessible area can usually be remedied by ensuring the entire affected insulation is dried out quickly.
Fans and proper air circulation can help this along. If the issue is widespread following a weather disaster or appliance malfunction, it might be best to remove the compromised insulation and start over with fresh material.
In this case, call us right away! We can take a look and evaluate the situation from top to bottom. If we decide that you would be better off with a replacement instead of attempting to dry it out, we have your back.
Our team can remove the soaked insulation and replace it with brand-new material! If the issue stemmed from a gap somewhere in your home, we can help seal it up with our air sealing services to help ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Our team can help install fresh insulation for you. Contact us today at Koala Insulation of Northwest Pennsylvania.
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We Provide Insulation Services to the Following Northwest Pennsylvania Areas
BUTLER, BOYERS, BRUIN, CABOT, CALLERY, CHICORA, CONNOQUENESSING, EAST BUTLER, EAU CLAIRE, EVANS CITY, FENELTON, HARMONY, HARRISVILLE, HILLIARDS, KARNS CITY, LYNDORA, PARKER, PETROLIA, PORTERSVILLE, PROSPECT, RENFREW, SARVER, SAXONBURG, SLIPPERY ROCK, WEST SUNBURY, GROVE CITY, JACKSON CENTER, MERCER, SHARON, HERMITAGE, STONEBORO, CALLENSBURG, POLK, CLINTONVILLE, EMLENTON, KENNERDELL, BEAVER, BEAVER FALLS, CONWAY, FREEDOM, INDUSTRY, MIDLAND, MONACA, NEW BRIGHTON, ROCHESTER, ZELIENOPLE, NEW CASTLE, BESSEMER, DARLINGTON, EDINBURG, ELLWOOD CITY, ENON VALLEY, FARRELL, FOMBELL, HILLSVILLE, KOPPEL, NEW GALILEE, NEW WILMINGTON, PULASKI, VOLANT, WAMPUM, WEST MIDDLESEX, WEST PITTSBURG, WHEATLAND, BAIRDFORD, BAKERSTOWN, BRADFORDWOODS, GIBSONIA, WARRENDALE, WEXFORD, ALLISON PARK, GLENSHAW, INGOMAR, PITTSBURGH, MARS, VALENCIA, CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP
Counties Served
BUTLER, CLARION, MERCER, VENANGO, BEAVER, LAWRENCE, ALLEGHENY
Zip Code
16001, 16002, 16020, 16022, 16023, 16024, 16025, 16027, 16029, 16030, 16033, 16034, 16037, 16038, 16040, 16041, 16045, 16049, 16050, 16051, 16052, 16053, 16055, 16056, 16057, 16061, 16127, 16133, 16137, 16146, 16148, 16153, 16213, 16342, 16372, 16373, 16374, 15009, 15010, 15027, 15042, 15052, 15059, 15061, 15066, 15074, 16063, 16101, 16102, 16105, 16112, 16115, 16116, 16117, 16120, 16121, 16123, 16132, 16136, 16141, 16142, 16143, 16156, 16157, 16159, 16160, 16161, 16172, 15006, 15007, 15015, 15044, 15086, 15090, 15095, 15101, 15116, 15127, 15229, 15237, 16046, 16059, 16066
