Yes, too much insulation can cause condensation. This is because over-insulating leads to poor ventilation inside a house and as a result prevents the humid air from escaping outside and becomes more prone to condense on cool surfaces and walls.
Too much insulation and a lack of ventilation and your home may experience issues such as stuffy, stale and unpleasant air along with related problems such as condensation, mould and damp.
If installed incorrectly, or in unsuitable properties, cavity wall insulation (CWI) can lead to damp.
By and large, insulation keeps a house warmer – including the inside surface of the walls. Condensation is less likely to build up on a warm surface, so insulating a whole property reduces risk.
Moisture and insulation
Improperly installed insulation is one of the leading causes of condensation in the attic, especially when too much insulation traps warm air up near the roof and forces condensation.
However, when moisture fills the air pockets between the fibers, the insulation loses its ability to slow the transfer of heat. After all, water is a conductor, so wet fiberglass insulation is about as effective as no insulation at all. To help fiberglass insulation dry out, place a dehumidifier or fan in the area.
Open the windows at the first sign of moisture, and use fans to help speed drying. Throw away any insulation or other materials that are wet or show signs of mildew, but be sure to replace them immediately. A dehumidifier can also help remove moisture from the attic fairly quickly.
The most common form of damp is often caused by poor heating and ventilation. It occurs when activities such as cooking raise the level of humidity in a building. This air condenses on cold surfaces, such as windows and walls.
Installing Insulation
Improperly installed insulation can have a negative effect on a home with regards to mold growth. For example, gaps left in the insulation can create cold spots that can lead to condensation and surface mold growth.
Measure your wall
Use a tape measure at a door or window to measure the distance between the outside wall and the inside wall. If the wall is more than 260mm thick, it is most likely a cavity wall. If it is thinner than 260mm, it is probably solid. Even if you don't have a cavity wall, you can still get warmer!
Most cavity wall insulation is perfectly safe – but it depends on the material used, and the quality of the workmanship. Modern retrofit cavity wall insulation methods pose no threat to those living in the home, but if your walls were insulated decades ago, you may want to check what was used.
Does Loft Insulation Directly Cause Damp? The simple answer to this is no. Loft insulation in itself is not responsible for damp appearing in your property – however, it can be a contributing factor when it comes to the spread of damp via condensation.
If you think that damp might be an issue, and you want to make sure you avoid it, spray foam insulation really is the only option that will give you a warm home, and one that is free from damp and its associated issues.
One thing which we have found to be the cause of very bad sub-floor condensation, which has led to serious Dry Rot attacks, is where insulation materials have been fitted underneath floor-boards.
The warmer the air, the more water and moisture it can hold. Therefore, heating can help with excessive damp because it increases the water-holding capacity of the air and makes it, as a result, less likely to become saturated.
A dehumidifier will extract moisture from the air, a bit like a tumble dryer extracts moisture from clothing. This will help your home dry out much faster. If you're damp problem was caused by condensation in the first place, then a dehumidifier will solve the problem without you having to get the landlord involved.
British houses are so damp due to a mixture of the nation having one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe and damaging building practices. Solid single skin brickwork, which makes up much of UK housing, is more prone to damp than double skin with cavity walls.
Especially in moist areas of your home such as basements, lofts and bathrooms, the spread is accelerated and can get out of control. According to property experts, a property with these issues can lose up to 53% of its value.
If the insulation became wet from water that contained any contaminates such as flood water and sewage, then the affected insulation and the wallboard are likely ruined, and both materials need to be removed as soon as possible.
Why Does my Attic Have Condensation? Attic condensation generally happens during winter & spring months when warm, moist air from the main living area rises into the attic space. When that warm, moist air meets the chilly underside of your roof's deck, condensation occurs.
Drying Out a Wet Attic
Placing a dehumidifier inside the attic will help to draw out moisture from the surrounding environment. However, you'll need to drain it frequently in order for it to function properly. Once the dehumidifier's storage tank is full, it won't be able to remove any more moisture.
You might think that you will need to replace wet insulation. While it does lose its potency when wet, it can regain effectiveness as it dries up. You should look out for any loose insulation that is wet with dirty water. Wet insulation will join its fibers together and create clumps in your attic.