Compressed Attic Insulation Fix

Yes the compressed r value can be estimated using the following method.

Compressed attic insulation fix.

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 most things we install the tighter the fit the better the item works. Blown in insulation is satisfactory for many unfinished attics as long as it doesn t get wet or compressed. For every x the insulation material is compressed the r value decreases by approximately one half of that percentage or x compressed.

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. Box out light fixtures. Water is insulation s enemy.

Fiberglass insulation should never be compressed. These thermal defects undermine the r value of your attic insulation. How to replace the blown attic insulation with closed cell foam. 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.

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. It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block 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. The most common forms of insulation today are cellulose fiberglass and spray foam. Attic insulation problems are common but fortunately the solutions are simple. Insulation loses its effectiveness when it is constantly being compressed by being walked on or having boxes stored on it loses its insulation ability.

R value simply means resistance to heat flow. 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. Let s look at an r 19 batt in a 2x6 cavity step 1.