Wet Insulation Las Vegas
Wet insulation in a Las Vegas home is almost always a remove-and-replace situation rather than a dry-in-place situation. Fiberglass batt insulation absorbs water and loses its insulating properties when wet, but the more significant issue is that it holds moisture in the wall cavity or attic space against the drywall paper and framing, sustaining the conditions that feed mold growth long after the original water event. Wet fiberglass insulation in a wall cavity cannot be effectively dried with commercial drying equipment working from the room side the insulation itself acts as a vapor retarder, slowing moisture migration out of the wall assembly.
Spray foam insulation presents a different situation. Closed-cell spray foam is hydrophobic and does not absorb water significantly, so it is generally not itself a mold substrate. However, if water has found a pathway around or through spray foam to reach framing or drywall, the assembly behind it needs assessment even if the foam itself is intact.
Why Wet Insulation Is a Priority
Insulation that has been wet for more than 24 to 48 hours is developing mold in the glass fiber and on the paper facer that many batt products use. The mold establishes in the insulation and has direct contact with the drywall paper beside it and the framing it is pressed against. It is a continuous inoculation source for the surrounding materials. Removing wet insulation as part of a water damage response stops this process. Attempting to dry it in place extends the mold risk while producing incomplete drying.
What We Do
We remove wet insulation, dry the framing and drywall behind it, assess for mold on those materials, and provide a scope for replacement. Read more about our water damage restoration service. Call (702) 442-1126.