WEST PORTLAND Blog

Can Insulation Get Wet? | Koala Insulation of West Portland

We all know it—it rains a lot in the Portland and Seattle area. While it may be a selling point for people to move to this community, it can cause a lot of problems for homeowners!

Thankfully, many of our insulation materials are water-resistant or even water-impermeable. However, it is important to know what to do if the unexpected happens and you wind up with wet insulation.

Reasons Why Your Insulation Might Be Wet

If your insulation is in an easy-to-access area and you notice that it is wet, it is time to do some investigating! One of the top causes for wet insulation is a roof leak when it rains.

Even the tiniest of cracks or gaps along your roof line can get into your space and cause chaos. If you don’t notice it right away or it is inside a finished wall, the moisture can linger, spread or even start to cause structural issues within your home. Moisture can also get in through drafts, air leaks, plumbing disasters or through the ground.

Certain materials like fiberglass insulation, blown-in cellulose and open-cell spray foam can temporarily experience a reduction in performance while they are wet. If it is in a well-ventilated area, just ensure that it fully dries out and it should return to its original effectiveness. If not, the moisture can linger and cause more issues throughout your house.

Moisture, Mold and Mildew…Oh My!

Lingering or excess moisture in your home can lead to mildew, mold growth and structural degradation around your home. If it spreads, it can become a health hazard to your family and create poor indoor air quality.

Mold and mildew can also slowly eat away at the structural aspects of your house. Your beams, joists, walls and even floors can become rotten or compromised, and it will only continue to get worse until the problem is discovered and addressed.

Where Koala Comes In

Timing is key when it comes to wet insulation! Minor water issues or a controlled situation can usually be remedied on your own. Just set up a fan or remove the affected material until you are sure it is completely dry.

Acting fast can also reduce your risk of lingering smells of mildew. If your water leak or house disaster is more widespread or your insulation is completely soaked through, a full removal and replacement might be recommended.

If this happens to you, just give us a call! We can come out and evaluate the situation and offer our opinion. If we determine that new insulation is the best route for you, we can remove the compromised insulation and replace it with fresh, dry insulation that will help support healthier air quality and security for your family.

We can also address any air leaks at this time to help prevent this issue from happening again!

When it comes to insulation, we can help. Contact us at Koala Insulation of West Portland.