Leaky Roof Wet Insulation

The interior of the roof may have structural deficiencies as a result.

Leaky roof wet insulation.

The two most common types of insulation fiberglass batts and blown in cellulose loose fill are vulnerable to attic water damage in two specific ways. As a loose fill product cellulose relies on its natural fluffiness to fill the space while leaving insulating air pockets between the fibers. Wet insulation increases the burden on the building itself and over time can lead to warping and other structural damage. A small leak is all it takes.

Insulation in the attic is often the first victim when roof leaks occur or when plumbing pipes routed through the attic leak. Look for damp spots on the underside of your roof. Trace the water to its source. When a leak allows water to seep in through the outer membrane and saturate the insulation below that moisture can deteriorate the roof on multiple fronts.

When a situation like this occurs it becomes essential to find a solution. High utility bills are another side effect of a leaking roof as water intrusion is detrimental to the insulation in attic area. 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. Insulation damage and mold if water drips from a roof leak onto your attic insulation the insulation clumps and loses its effectiveness.

You ll probably notice this in your energy bill because as. Within a short amount of time the insulation in a roof can develop mold. Also look for a thin stream of water flowing down one of the rafters. If you have a leaky roof you d better fix it immediately even if it doesn t bother you much or you re getting a new roof next year.

If your roof is leaking right now go into the attic with a flashlight and some chalk to mark with while it s raining. Sometimes the water runs along the attic floor for quite a distance before coming through the ceiling. Your cellulose or fiberglass insulation becomes saturated and it takes a long time for it to dry out. Insulation sits just below the roof s membrane.

Even over a short time small leaks can lead to big problems such as mold rotted framing and sheathing destroyed insulation and damaged ceilings. Loss of insulating value.