Insulation. Insulation (whether internal or external) raises the temperature of walls so that water vapour is less likely to condense on them. Condensation occurs when a surface is colder than the water vapour. By insulating your walls, you'll reduce the temperature difference between the two.
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.
Damp insulation can lose about 40 percent of its insulating R-value. You might think fiberglass is waterproof, but the thick batt can retain moisture.
If you want to avoid home condensation, you still need to ensure adequate ventilation and air circulation in your home. Yes, insulation will keep your interior warm and therefore less likely to condense air.
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.
Loft insulation itself will not 'cause' damp issues as such – as in it will not act as the main catalyst for it. However, if a poor insulation material is chosen, and an ineffective method undertaken, then this certainly won't help matters.
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.
Wet insulation can become a health risk. If insulation is left wet for long enough, mold and bacteria will start to grow in it. This severely decreases air quality and can lead to major health risks.
Wet insulation means trapped moisture that will slowly degrade the entire roofing system, from the decking to the building itself. Trapped moisture encourages corrosion of roofing fasteners and rusting of steel studs and wall ties, which reduce wind-uplift ratings.
Mold can grow on the fiberglass insulation backing, which is made of paper and is a mold food source. Fiberglass insulation without backing may be the best choice. Cellulose insulation is constructed of ground paper, which is an ideal food source for the growth of mold if it becomes wet.
Although insulation helps to reduce moisture, it can also trap it, particularly in basements, leading to mold growth between insulation and walls.
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.
Insulating the exterior edge of a slab can reduce heating bills by 10 to 20 percent in many homes! Foam-in-place insulation can also be blown under floors to help insulate and reduce air leakage.
If left untreated, damp can pose a number of risks including: structural timber decay, damage to plaster, corrosion, health issues for those with asthma and respiratory problems, unsightly staining and mould growth.
Yes, damp is generally worse in winter. Low temperature decreases the ability of the air to retain water vapor. As a result, it takes much less moisture for cold air to reach the condensation level at which damp becomes uncomfortable and creates favorable conditions for mold growth and structural damage.
Damp happens when warm air hits cold walls, so by keeping your house warm the surfaces don't get cold enough to create condensation. Try setting timers for your heating to turn on at intervals throughout the day.
If left untreated, rising damp can cause extreme damage to the structure of your property. The cost of damp-proofing will be small in comparison to repairing your home interior and exterior fabric that you may have to replace. Rising damp can destroy decoration, plaster and can cause rot to the timber within your home.
The most effective and economical way to treat rising damp is with a damp proofing injection cream. You can choose between complete kits or individual cartridges of cream from leading brands such as Kiesol C and Aida. The cream is injected or hand-pumped into specially-positioned holes in the mortar course.
If the damp has caused your floor joists to rot, then you will need to replace them. They can't be fixed. The cost will depend on how many joists need replacing.
Insulating your loft, attic or flat roof is an effective way to reduce heat loss and reduce your heating bills. Installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over in its 40-year lifetime.
As long as you ventilate your property properly, you can have as much insulation as you like within reason. The trick with loft insulation is to balance the amount of insulation you have with the amount of ventilation necessary to prevent damp. As long as you get that balance right, you should be fine.