Burnsville Spray Foam Insulation MN | Can Insulation Get Wet?
One concern that many homeowners have regarding their insulation is whether or not it can get wet, and whether they will need to replace it or not in the event that it does get wet. Here is some information on how water and moisture affect different types of insulation materials and what you should do if your insulation gets wet: Burnsville Spray Foam Insulation MN
Burnsville Spray Foam Insulation MN | How Water Affects Insulation
The good news is that water and moisture don’t affect every type of insulation equally as some types of insulation are more water-resistant than others. Here is a quick breakdown on how water and moisture affect the following types of insulation:
Fiberglass Insulation: When fiberglass insulation is exposed to water, it generally won’t lose any of its insulating properties if the water exposure has been identified early on and the insulation material is able to dry out properly. However, if fiberglass is exposed to water or moisture for a long period of time, or is in an area that doesn’t allow it to properly dry quickly enough, then it may start to become compact and lose its insulating properties.
Cellulose Insulation: Since cellulose insulation is made from plant fibers, primarily recycled newspaper, it becomes easily ruined if it is exposed to water or moisture seeing as paper/plant fibers have a tendency to quickly absorb water and generally don’t go back to their original form even after drying out.
Spray Foam Insulation: Fortunately for many homeowners, closed-cell spray foam insulation is highly water-resistant, meaning that exposure to water and moisture won’t have any effect on its insulating properties.
For more information on how water affects different types of insulation materials, feel free to contact your local insulation contractors in Burnsville MN at Century Insulation today.
Burnsville Spray Foam Insulation MN | What To Do If Your Insulation Is Wet
Depending on the type of insulation you have in your attic, walls, basement, crawlspaces, etc., and the level of exposure to water/moisture, there are different steps you may need to take. Here is what you should do if your insulation gets wet:
Fiberglass Insulation: If your fiberglass insulation gets wet, it’s important to make sure you dry it out properly so that it doesn’t start to become compact and lose its R-value. To dry out your fiberglass insulation, you should carefully remove the affected fiberglass batts (note: you should always take proper precautions with gloves and a face mask when coming in contact with fiberglass) and place them in front of a fan or dehumidifier to dry. However, if your fiberglass insulation starts to become compact or starts to emit a strange odor, then that’s a sign that if you will probably have to completely replace your insulation.
Cellulose Insulation: If your cellulose insulation gets wet, however, then there’s not a whole lot you can do. You can try removing the affected insulation and replacing it if only one small area of your insulation was exposed to water. However, if a huge portion of your cellulose insulation has been exposed to water, or the water has been there for a while (and has most likely leaked and affected the rest of your insulation in the same area), then chances are your only solution is to completely replace your cellulose insulation and install new insulation, seeing as drying your cellulose insulation out won’t do much because its R-value has already been greatly reduced.
Spray Foam Insulation: If your spray foam insulation gets wet, then all you need to do is wipe it off and dry it out. While the insulation itself won’t be negatively impacted by exposure to water or moisture, the wood around it may gradually start to mold or rot if the affected area has been exposed to water/moisture for a long time, or isn’t able to dry properly in time.
If you’re looking to replace your insulation or install new insulation in your home, then feel free to contact Century Insulation, the best insulation company in Burnsville MN.
For more information on whether or not insulation can get wet, feel free to ask your local spray foam insulation contractor in Burnsville MN at Century Insulation, your local spray foam insulation company in Burnsville MN.
Spray Foam Insulation Contractors Burnsville MN | Century Insulation
Century Insulation can help you insulate your home or commercial property in Burnsville Minnesota. Our services include spray foam insulation, attic insulation, cellulose insulation, and fiberglass insulation. If you’re not sure which one is best for you, feel free to contact one of our insulation contractors to come and inspect your house and help you determine which solution works best for you!