WEST HOUSTON Blog

Avoid Moisture Problems, Prepare For Wet Weather In Southeastern Texas

With fall setting in, are you worried about the changing weather affecting your home? 

For the West Houston area, fall is a time for fluctuating temperatures, thermostat adjustments, and wardrobe shifts. It's the perfect time to take a good look at your insulation and check for any hidden problems or leaks.

You're trying to maintain a comfortable and safe environment to live in, which means moisture and untreated water damage have no place in your home. There are a number of insulation materials that are specifically designed to prevent moisture from causing problems in a building. Unfortunately, they aren't always going to hold up against persistent leaks or excessive water damage. When you notice signs of wet or damaged insulation, you need to call in the professionals at Koala Insulation of West Houston ASAP!

How Did My Insulation Get Wet?

Finding the culprit of moisture damage isn't always a straightforward answer, especially if you're in a new building or you're unfamiliar with the material that's been damaged. Here are some common problems to look out for that lead to damp or even soaked insulation:

• Leaks

One of the most common sources of water damage comes from leaks in your roof or plumbing. Leaks are also extremely problematic because they can start off subtly and contribute to hidden damages if you don't regularly inspect your materials. Pipes or gutters in poor condition lead to weathering, encourage pest infestation, and create a humid environment for mold growth; all of these contribute to insulation deterioration. Unfortunately, even if the leak isn't near the material, traveling water can result in damaged insulation that's a few paces away from the source.

• Humidity

Condensation forms around the house when temperatures fluctuate during the day, especially along window sills or air leaks when the indoor temperature meets with outdoor air that’s significantly higher or lower. This creates moisture that can go unnoticed in hidden areas or tucked away spaces, allowing the water droplets to gradually seep into the material. This is a year-round issue as you’re trying to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature that competes with the changing seasons.  

• Flooding

Southeastern Texas is no stranger to flooding dangers. Whether it is related to the weather or a burst pipe, it’s important to add insulation and air sealing upgrades to your Floor Prevention And Aftermath checklists. Take a close look at your insurance policy and schedule a regular insulation upgrade to stay prepared for any potential disasters. Remember, your insulation needs to be inspected, removed, and replaced quickly before the moist material creates the perfect environment for mold and bacteria growth. 

• Poor Ventilation

Your home's ventilation systems are an important line of defense for your comfort and safety. As such, the systems in your attic or crawl space need to be regularly maintained to reduce any moisture in the air of a building. The primary objective of ventilation is to regulate airflow but it also contributes to controlling humidity levels in your home. These systems are a big help in reducing condensation, keeping your material in a dryer environment, and preventing hidden water build-up in places you don't visit very often. 

• Ground Moisture

The basement and crawl spaces of your home are going to absorb moisture from the ground. Well-maintained insulation material in these areas (as well as underneath floorboards) is installed to prevent this moisture from impacting the rest of your home. If the material here is neglected or you forget to schedule a regular evaluation, the insulation is unable to provide an effective barrier. When you haven’t evaluated the insulation in a new home or checked for damages, certain types of materials can end up working like a sponge that attracts pests and grows mold. 

Common Signs of Water-Damaged Insulation

One of the main takeaways we stress to any homeowner is to avoid allowing insulation and air sealing to fall into the "out of sight, out of mind" hazard. Your material is tucked away in the attic, under floorboards, and within the walls, so it's understandable when you don't have something visual to remind you to reschedule that regular evaluation. You may also lack the tools or expertise to safely inspect the insulation in your home on a regular basis, so it’s not a task you think to schedule on your chore list.

If you fall into this category of homeowners, don’t worry. There are a number of warning signs that can tip you off fairly early that you may have wet or damaged insulation. Keep an eye out for these issues so you can avoid discomfort, health hazards, and expensive repairs:

• Smelling dampness around walls or ceilings
• Mold growth - keep an eye on baseboards or corners
• Off-colored stains
• Peeling paint or wallpaper

Damaged insulation doesn’t just create an uncomfortable environment; it also has an impact on your safety and savings. When you start to feel a draft, notice poor indoor air quality, or see a spike in heating and cooling bills, schedule a free evaluation with your local West Houston area professionals.  

How To Take Care of Wet Insulation

There are a number of different insulation types, which means certain materials react differently when encountering water. There are a few insulation materials that are chemically treated or have natural properties that help prevent moisture resulting from condensation or small leaks, but materials with heavy moisture or soaked spots need to be changed as soon as possible.

If you’ve found a spot in your insulation that’s just a bit wet when you touch it, you can likely let it dry on its own with the help of a box fan. However, this is only in situations where you’ve caught the problem early on, identified the water source, and fixed any leaks or water damage in the area. 

For example, if there was a crack in a bathroom pipe that started a noticeable, small leak near your insulation, patch the leak and dry out the material. However, this area still needs to be periodically checked to ensure the dampness isn’t coming from another hidden problem or that the water seeped in further than you initially discovered. 

Severe water damage and soaked material need to be handled by professionals. Call your local team at Koala Insulation of West Houston to take care of the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage to surrounding surfaces and materials. Neglected insulation increases the risk of high humidity in the house, hides mold growth and wood warp, and decreases the effectiveness of the material.