Advances in housing insulation have meant a big increase in condensation problems. Homeowners are being warned to act to prevent damp talking hold. Ironically, condensation and dampness is getting worse as homes become better insulated.
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.
Internal wall insulation changes the fabric of your home, and can, if not employed properly, cause issues such as damp and condensation.
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.
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.
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.
Energy efficiency and heat loss
Insulating interior walls can be especially useful in homes where there are unused rooms, guest rooms or storage rooms – the insulation will reduce the amount of heat transfer into such rooms that don't require heating or cooling, reducing both heat and air conditioning costs.
If the home doesn't have an adequate vapor barrier and there are leaks, then that water absorbs into traditional forms of insulation like fiberglass and cellulose. The mold and mildew begin to grow, which can be a health hazard for everyone in the home, including pets.
Advances in housing insulation have meant a big increase in condensation problems. Homeowners are being warned to act to prevent damp talking hold. Ironically, condensation and dampness is getting worse as homes become better insulated.
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.
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.
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.
Energy Efficiency
Without interior insulation, outside air will enter your home easily, raising and lowering the temperature of your rooms to uncomfortable levels. Temperature fluctuations will force your HVAC unit to have to work harder to bring your home to the programmed temperature – increasing your utility bill.
Internal insulation can be fitted when you're planning to redecorate anyway, or to fit a new kitchen or bathroom. You can also spread the cost by tackling one room at a time. External insulation will also cost less if you fit it when you're having other work done to the outside.
Injection foam insulation is the answer to insulating walls without removing drywall. There are several types of injection foam available out there, including the RetroFoam product we use. These materials don't require the drywall in your home to be taken down.
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.
It is softer, and as it has an open cell structure it's breathable. This prevents the kind of trapped moisture that can cause damp. Whether you are looking to stop or treat mould or damp, spray foam insulation is a long-term solution with many benefits.
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.
Even if you must remove most or all of the insulation, it's sometimes possible to dry out and replace the same fibers—that is, after you thoroughly clean and dry the mold-damaged space.
In other cases, there might be a leak in your pipes. Regardless, now your cellulose insulation is wet! If you're wondering how long it takes for it to dry, we've researched this to find out. In an ideal circumstance, cellulose insulation should take around 24-48 hours to dry.
Douse the insulation in a bleach solution (1 cup bleach and 1 gallon hot water) and scrape clean with a wire brush.