Attic heat loss diagnostic
Wet or Damaged Insulation
What you see outside often starts inside the attic.
The short answer
Insulation that has been wet, compressed or contaminated no longer performs the way its rating suggests, and wet material in an attic does not dry in place. The first question is always what made it wet or contaminated, because installing new insulation over an active source repeats the damage. The source is confirmed, then the affected material is removed.
Heat leaves through four places.We check every one.
A cold room is the end of a path, not the start of one. The envelope has four weak points, and which one matters is decided in your attic, not on this page.
- 1The materialInspection at the penetration or valley after rain
- 2The sheathingAttic inspection in cold weather, moisture readings
- 3Animal activityAttic inspection, and check entry points at the eaves
- 4Compacted areasDepth and condition survey
Reading the evidence
A visible symptom narrows the cause. It does not settle it on its own, which is what the quote on your own attic is for.
Damp or matted insulation in one area
Likely causeA roof leak above that area
How we confirm itInspection at the penetration or valley after rain
If confirmedRepair the source, then remove the affected material
Widespread damp insulation with frost history
Likely causeCondensation from indoor air reaching the attic
How we confirm itAttic inspection in cold weather, moisture readings
If confirmedAir sealing and ventilation, with removal as needed
Droppings, nesting material or tunnels in the insulation
Likely causeAnimal or pest activity in the attic
How we confirm itAttic inspection, and check entry points at the eaves
If confirmedDecontamination and removal of affected material
Flattened insulation in walkways and around equipment
Likely causeCompression from foot traffic and past work
How we confirm itDepth and condition survey
If confirmedRemoval or top-up depending on condition
What this page cannot tell you
- Wet insulation and a wet roof deck are two different problems. Removing the material does not repair the roof.
- How far the damage extends is often only clear once the affected material is opened up, so scope can change on site.
The recommendation hierarchy
The source is identified and corrected before any new insulation goes in. If the source is a roof leak, that repair comes first, and we confirm it during the assessment rather than working around it.
Primary solution
Attic Insulation Removal
Remove old, damaged or contaminated attic insulation using professional extraction and cleanup equipment.
Explore this service
Conditional solution
Attic Decontamination & Sanitizing
Use it: if animal matter, odours or contaminated materials are found.
About this problem
Questions homeowners ask us.
Everything below is about wet or damaged insulation. Tap one.
Eco-Therma
Usually replies the same day
Can wet insulation dry out on its own?
In an attic, generally not. It stays damp long enough to affect the wood around it, which is why Eco-Therma removes affected material rather than leaving it to dry.
Do you repair the roof leak too?
Eco-Therma confirms the source during the assessment and tells you plainly what has to be repaired before new insulation goes in.
What if animals got into the insulation?
Eco-Therma removes affected material, then decontaminates and sanitizes the area. Entry points at the eaves and soffits are part of what we look at.
A practical next step
Request a Remote Quote
A remote quote starts and finishes with your address and the approximate size of your attic. No attic access, no waiting on a visit.