Removing Wet Attic Insulation

When a roof leak leads to saturated insulation that insulation almost always needs to be replaced.

Removing wet attic insulation.

Batt and blaket insulation. The plant fibers of cellulose wick water right up. Before you begin the project to remove insulation from the attic verify the insulation does not. Cellulose insulation is made from.

Gradually pull the vacuum toward you as it sucks up the insulation. Place a large tarp wherever you plan to unload the filled garbage bags. To clean up droppings you need good respiratory protection masks and clothing that can be bleached or discarded. Wet insulation is bad for your roof your building and its occupants.

How to remove attic insulation asbestos testing. Use the tape measure to roughly locate where the water is dripping through the ceiling below. Once the dehumidifier s storage tank is full it won t be able to remove any more moisture. If the attic is not large enough for a person to move around try tying a rope to the vacuum.

When a leak allows water to seep in through. 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. If the leak is more extensive the cellulose will have wicked up the moisture and spread it throughout a large area. During that time it will also degrade wooden structure and trigger attic mold growth.

To maneuver around the attic safely lay large planks at least 6 inches wide across the joists. Some attic spaces are very small and tight finding creative ways to maneuver the vacuum inside the attic will go a long way. Blown in insulation comes in two types. Soaked cellulose insulation will retain absorbed water for an extended time and resists drying.

Wet insulation is inefficient but more immediately it can be a hidden risk. Find the water leak. Insulation sits just below the roof s membrane. If your leak is very small you may be able to simply remove the affected area of cellulose insulation and let it dry out that will take a while.

However you ll need to drain it frequently in order for it to function properly. Wet cellulose is generally not salvageable and needs to be removed then new material blown in to replace it. With these in place you ll be able to walk around the attic while removing the insulation. For walkthrough areas place a sheet of plastic over the opening and secure with tape.