Rainy weather causes the first type of leak to be discovered.
Water leak in attic insulation.
You might also notice some patches of ice or frost.
Water in your attic can damage wood beams insulation and even.
Take precautions to avoid a dangerous working environment in the attic.
At the very least shingles.
The dirt comes from dusty air leaking into your attic.
Water leaks occur through roof failure ice dams and water condensation or frost build up inside an attic.
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.
In cold weather you may see frosty areas in the insulation caused by warm moist air condensing and freezing as it hits the cold attic air.
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.
It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow.
Water is insulation s enemy.
While in your attic look for areas where the insulation is darkened see photo a result of filtering dusty air from the house.
Also remember to watch your step.
If your attic insulation is properly installed and in good shape your home will be more energy efficient.
Though attics are typically hot and dry a leaky roof or pipe condensation or severe weather can cause water to enter your attic.
Unfortunately many homeowners overlook their attic insulation and fail to include it in regular maintenance efforts.
Box out light fixtures.
This is a result of moist air leaking into your attic and then freezing when it hits your cold attic.
Cover the attic hatch with a pillow of fiberglass insulation.
Loss of insulating value.
You want a nice big puffy pillow of insulation to stop any air leaks says olson.
Insulation in the attic is often the first victim when roof leaks occur or when plumbing pipes routed through the attic leak.
In warmer weather you ll find water staining in these same areas.
You ll also rest assured that you don t have contaminated insulation that can affect the health of your home.
Once you seal the air leak with caulk or expandable foam it s not necessary to replace the insulation.