Salvage Wet Insulation ?
Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 9:05 pm
This from the owens corning website
When Fiberglas™ Insulation becomes wet with water, (i.e. rain and or supply water), it will temporarily lose a substantial measure of its thermal resistance (R-value). The spaces between the fibers that were previously occupied by air would then be occupied by water. Since water is a much better conductor of heat than air, the water’s presence causes the insulation to have reduced thermal performance. However, this is only a temporary situation. As soon as the water evaporates and the insulation becomes dry again, it will regain its original performance level. Because Fiberglas™ Insulation does not absorb water, the insulation fi bers will not be structurally altered or permanently affected in any other way.
If the Fiberglas™ Insulation is damaged by the force or weight of the water, it may require
replacement. Repair the source of the water damage prior to replacing the fiberglas™ insulation.
If the insulation has been saturated with dirty or potentially contaminated water, we would
recommend it be replaced. The reason for this is that when the contaminated water evaporates, the deposits of these foreign materials, which remain, may decrease the R-value, and may also give mold and or mildew nourishment and a place to propagate.
This growth, and or, odor may also be transferred to other building materials. If the condition or
contamination of the water is unknown, Owens Corning recommends replacement of the wet
insulation.
http://www2.owenscorning.com/literature ... lletin.pdf
When Fiberglas™ Insulation becomes wet with water, (i.e. rain and or supply water), it will temporarily lose a substantial measure of its thermal resistance (R-value). The spaces between the fibers that were previously occupied by air would then be occupied by water. Since water is a much better conductor of heat than air, the water’s presence causes the insulation to have reduced thermal performance. However, this is only a temporary situation. As soon as the water evaporates and the insulation becomes dry again, it will regain its original performance level. Because Fiberglas™ Insulation does not absorb water, the insulation fi bers will not be structurally altered or permanently affected in any other way.
If the Fiberglas™ Insulation is damaged by the force or weight of the water, it may require
replacement. Repair the source of the water damage prior to replacing the fiberglas™ insulation.
If the insulation has been saturated with dirty or potentially contaminated water, we would
recommend it be replaced. The reason for this is that when the contaminated water evaporates, the deposits of these foreign materials, which remain, may decrease the R-value, and may also give mold and or mildew nourishment and a place to propagate.
This growth, and or, odor may also be transferred to other building materials. If the condition or
contamination of the water is unknown, Owens Corning recommends replacement of the wet
insulation.
http://www2.owenscorning.com/literature ... lletin.pdf