Compressed Attic Insulation Fix

The most common forms of insulation today are cellulose fiberglass and spray foam.

Compressed attic insulation fix.

Compacted insulation insulation that has been compressed by being walked over or storing boxes on it loses part of its insulation ability. Missing insulation at repaired areas in attic it seems pretty obvious that insulation should be put back in place after being pulled back for a repair in the attic but that doesn t always happen. For every x the insulation material is compressed the r value decreases by approximately one half of that percentage or x compressed. Water is insulation s enemy.

Fiberglass insulation should never be compressed. Box out light fixtures. How to replace the blown attic insulation with closed cell foam. Attic insulation problems are common but fortunately the solutions are simple.

Blown in insulation is satisfactory for many unfinished attics as long as it doesn t get wet or compressed. Imo insulation is designed to entrap air so the more it s compressed the less air it contains and you end up relying on the conductivity of the material fiberglass itself. Look for water stains on the roof sheathing or damp or moldy spots on attic joists and existing insulation as a clue to where leaks might be. Not so with blown in fiberglass insulation.

R value simply means resistance to heat flow. I suspect the context of the naima calculation is that it pertains to common and customary building practices so i wouldn t attempt to extrapolate their findings to. Insulation is often moved during a repair and is never put back into place. These thermal defects undermine the r value of your attic insulation.

Different parts of your house may use different kinds of insulation so as you inspect and repair your insulation pay attention to the type that s being used in that area. Subtract the cavity depth from the thickness of the batt in inches. Let s look at an r 19 batt in a 2x6 cavity step 1. It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow.

This guide from the department of energy will help you determine what type of insulation you have in your home. Simple thermal analysis reveals that if you have 5 missing insulation in an attic bare sheetrock you ll have a slightly more than a 54 drop in r value. Insulation loses its effectiveness when it is constantly being compressed by being walked on or having boxes stored on it loses its insulation ability.