Compressed Attic Insulation Fix

How to replace the blown attic insulation with closed cell foam.

Compressed attic insulation fix.

Let s look at an r 19 batt in a 2x6 cavity step 1. 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. 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. For every x the insulation material is compressed the r value decreases by approximately one half of that percentage or x compressed.

That means you ll have to seal up all of those gaps cracks and holes that are in your attic and walls before you blow the insulation into place. Insulation is often moved during a repair and is never put back into place. R value simply means resistance to heat flow. Yes the compressed r value can be estimated using the following method.

Blown in insulation is satisfactory for many unfinished attics as long as it doesn t get wet or compressed. Not so with blown in fiberglass insulation. 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. The most common forms of insulation today are cellulose fiberglass and spray foam.

Attic insulation problems are common but fortunately the solutions are simple. These thermal defects undermine the r value of your attic insulation. Subtract the cavity depth from the thickness of the batt in inches. Water is insulation s enemy.

It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow. Insulation loses its effectiveness when it is constantly being compressed by being walked on or having boxes stored on it loses its insulation ability. Box out light fixtures. 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.

For most things we install the tighter the fit the better the item works. Fiberglass insulation should never be compressed. 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.