Insulation Damage Attic

If there is inadequate ventilation or insulation you re looking at plenty of issues with your attic and roof that can range from mould rot ice damming and more.

Insulation damage attic.

The weight of blown in cellulose can cause ceiling sag. This is why a thorough attic inspection is important. Spray foam attic 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.

A primary type of damage mice cause in an attic is the destruction of insulation. Look for mouse feces and urine stains. Examples include chewed electrical wires flattened insulation destroyed ducts nesting material and lots of feces. This type of insulation requires professional installation.

Breathing in fibers can also increase the difficulty of breathing. It s often used over existing insulation in the attic where moisture control isn t needed. Insulation in the attic is often the first victim when roof leaks occur or when plumbing pipes routed through the attic leak. Animals can cause considerable damage in the attic but not always.

27 2018 mike holmes. The material becomes very problematic when wet. If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building. Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system.

Try a spray foam insulation kit to fill cavities gaps cracks expansion joints and other sources of air leaks. Video of the day. You can get an understanding of what the mice have done and see specifically what damage they may have caused. The tiny fibers of glass from insulation wool can irritate your skin and eyes.

Gaps in the attic or between the lower floors and the attic will let heated or cooled air escape to the great unconditioned outdoors making any insulation you add essentially useless. It is also crucial that your attic is 1. Properly ventilated and 2. Rolls batts or blown in insulation.

Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic. Find a diagram of common air leaks here here s a quick primer on fixing draft prone spots. Look for areas of trampled down insulation and paths and tunnels in the insulation. It helps resist moisture that can lead to mold or mildew and provides increased sound and thermal insulation.

Loss of insulating value. Damp blown in insulation can promote fungal growth. If you ve ever come in contact with fiberglass you already know what it can do to your skin. Second mice will chew up insulation to use for building nests elsewhere the attic or the residence.

If you experience too much contact with fiberglass it can cause what s called irritant contact dermatitis or inflammation of the skin. Mice tend to damage insulation in an attic in one of two ways. Y our attic is an unconditioned area which means that it should be similar to the same temperature and humidity as the outside air. Installation projects can be very messy.