Wet insulation can pose many problems to a building and roofing system, not to mention that it negates the job insulation is intended to perform – insulate the building: keeping cool and warm air inside given the season and hot and cold air from outside out. Wet insulation conducts energy instead of repelling it, causing heating or cooling costs to increase, thus decreasing a buildings energy efficiency rating.

Insulation is rated by R-value, the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow, the higher the R-value, the higher the insulating power of the material. Wet insulation loses 40% of its R-value when saturated.

Insulation sits below the roof membrane. When a roof gets a leak and is not addressed the water can permeate the insulation, which can deteriorate the roofing system from the decking to the building. Trapped moisture will rust steel studs and wall ties and corrode roof fasteners. Wet insulation also increases the burden on the building itself with the added water weight, which can lead to warping or structural damage. And as with all trapped moisture it can lead to mold and bacteria growth, creating unhealthy conditions.

It’s important to address roof leaks as soon as they are identified. Upson Company’s 24-hour Maintenance department is on-call for commercial roof leaks seven days a week. Technicians always check the integrity of the roof when on leak calls, including examining insulation for water retention or saturation. They understand their customer’s energy efficiency needs and the importance of maintaining correct R-values for roofing insulation.

If you suspect your roof might have wet insulation, Upson Company can determine if it is wet and to what extent. By performing core cuts or using thermal imaging on commercial roof repair in Boise or on commercial roof leak calls, Upson Company Maintenance technician analyze insulation integrity and whether it is up to Idaho’s code.