Attic Looks Like Snow Insulation

Most of the insulation in that area was sopping wet and had absorbed the water like a sponge.

Attic looks like snow insulation.

Warm moist air trapped in the attic condenses and freezes on the wood. Cover all your skin to protect it from the itchy insulation and wear a dust mask. The best way to prevent or reduce ice dams is to eliminate or reduce the amount of warm air that is escaping into the attic and melting snow on the roof to the point where it creates glacier like ice build up. Another temporary solution is to remove the snow from the roof before it can turn into ice and penetrate the roof system.

So it s time to pay close attention to what s happening up there. Department of energy notes that 75 percent of mineral wool is derived from post industrial content. When i went up into the attic to take a look i discovered the problem. If you notice one or more of these occurring you probably need to take action.

Box out light fixtures. Blown in insulation is the best way to increase an attic s r value. Retrofitting is adding blown in insulation to an existing attic. If you have loose fill insulation that is gray soft and without a shine it is probably cellulose insulation.

Here are the signs to look for. Insulation comes in a variety of colors. Customers like the snow like look of modern fiberglass. Proper attic insulation is the best way to prevent heat loss in the winter and retain cool air in the summer.

If your attic doesn t have a walkway take two small 2 x 4 ft sheets of 1 2 in. There are four especially common signs of problems with attic insulation. In general it looks like shredded gray paper. Fiberglass is easier on installation equipment.

And it was melting fast. I ve already had the insulation upgraded there is minimal frost build up on the inside of the rafters just snow around the gable vent which happens to be beside the attic access there was no snow a bit further into the attic but i didn t do a thorough inspection as the blow in covers the rafters and i cant see them so i need to put some boards up there to try and walk on without going. Plywood to move around on. Seals blowers and motors last longer when fiberglass is used.

Cellulose insulation is a perfectly safe type of insulation that is commonly blown into attics. Unless you re using mineral wool insulation or your fixtures are rated safe for contact with any type of insulation don t allow the material to touch or cover recessed cans or. 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. Brown insulation is made up of mineral wool which comes from either rock natural materials or slag the scum on the surface of molten metal.

Cellulose contains a high percentage of recycled paper and does not contain minerals. Frost on the underside of the roof or rafters.