Wet- spray cellulose insulation is shredded newspaper, mixed (or treated) with various chemicals (up to 25% by weight) to reduce its flamma- bility, that is installed in con- junction with water spray and adhesive so that it adheres to open wall cavities before being covered with drywall.

What is spray applied cellulose insulation?

Cellulose wall cavity spray is an effective way to obtain tightly sealed installations. The cellulose is sprayed directly into the wall cavities, between the studs and against the exterior sheathing, filling the area completely leaving no gaps or voids. ...

Why is cellulose insulation bad?

Cellulose insulation is treated with fire retardants such as ammonium sulfate, borax, and boric acid to meet all governmental safety requirements. ... Unsurprisingly, this causes cellulose to have a higher fire rating than faced fiberglass insulation.

What happens if cellulose insulation gets wet?

How Water Inundation Impacts Cellulose Insulation. Cellulose is a loose-fill product. The material is designed to fill space with the “fluff” of the fibers to prevent voids and air pockets. When the fibers become wet to an excessive level, their weight increases, and the material will slowly compress and settle.

Will cellulose insulation dry out if it gets wet?

Cellulose insulation is a loose-fill product made of recycled newspaper treated with chemicals to make it fire-retardant and insect-proof. Humidity has little effect on cellulose insulation, making it a viable option in Southern California's mildly humid climate.

Cellulose wall spray insulation

40 related questions found

What are the disadvantages of cellulose insulation?

Disadvantages. Installation costs for cellulose can be higher than for fiberglass. Cellulose insulation creates an enormous amount of dust when it is installed, so a certified breathing mask is absolutely essential. Dry-blown cellulose sags and settles, reducing its R-value over time.

How long will cellulose insulation last?

Because it is made primarily of recycled materials, however, cellulose insulation does degrade over time. The typical lifespan is 20 to 30 years, with degradation beginning as early as 15 years after installation. As with other types of insulation, severe weather or outside interference can reduce the lifespan.

Do mice like blown-in cellulose insulation?

The insulation has a low toxicity to mammals such as mice that filter out the poison through their livers, Ansley says. But because the cellulose insulation is loose and falls in on itself, rodents don't like it and will often leave because they prefer areas where they can burrow in order to nest.

Should I remove cellulose insulation?

Your insulation needs to be removed along with the droppings, as it'll carry some of its toxicity if left in your attic. Removing old insulation and replacing it with new ones will not only rid your home from any rodent infestation and mold, but also improve its energy efficiency and overall air quality.

What is wet cellulose?

Spray Applied: Also referred to as "damp spray" or "wet" cellulose. In this method of installation water is added at the tip of the hose in a very fine mist at high pressures. The cellulose is sprayed onto the exterior sheathing and builds up in the stud bay.

What are the disadvantages of spray foam insulation?

List of the Cons of Spray Foam Insulation

• Spray foam insulation does not always fill every possible cavity. ...
• Spray foam insulation might encourage water damage for some homeowners. ...
• Spray foam insulation can sometimes shrink. ...
• Spray foam insulation requires a lot of experience to get it right.

Is cellulose insulation better than fiberglass?

A given sample of cellulose insulation will provide better thermal performance than an identically sized sample of fiberglass insulation. Per square inch of insulation, cellulose has a higher R-value than fiberglass. ... With loose fill cellulose insulation, you can achieve an R-value of 3.2 to 3.8 per square inch.

How much does it cost to insulate a 2000 sq ft house?

The average cost to insulate a 2,000 square foot home nationally is $2,700-$3,300 for the total project, including labor, materials, and installation. For a Do-It-Yourself project, the average cost is $700-$1300 for the total project.

How much does it cost to insulate a 2500 sq ft house?

THE OVERALL COST

The average cost of insulating a 2,500 sq. ft. home is between $2,000 and $6,000.

Do termites eat cellulose insulation?

So, do termites eat cellulose insulation in Sacramento, CA? The answer is no—termites do not feed on cellulose insulation, and in fact, this material can actually repel termites. Cellulose insulation doesn't attract termites. It's treated with fire-retardant chemicals that insects are not drawn to.

What kind of insulation do mice hate?

Blanket or batt insulation is a popular choice that can be tackled by a homeowner. Fiberglass or cellulose insulation can also be blown in.

What insulation do mice hate?

Unfortunately, no insulation exists that is truly rodent resistant, even in the form of cellulose. The good news is that many companies, such as Attic Construction, specialize not only in attic insulation installation but also offer rodent proofing services.

Does cellulose insulation get mold?

Mold rarely grows in cellulose insulation without direct water damage because of boric acid used as a fire retardant in the material. Boric acid is a natural mold preventer that is very effective at preventing mold growth.

Can you over insulate a house?

It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.

Which insulation is best for attic?

Fiberglass, cotton, and mineral wool can all work as loose-fill material, but the far and away top choice for blown-in insulation is fiberglass. Contrary to batts, blown-in fiberglass insulation is perfect for filling in tight voids around wiring, pipes, or any area with awkward framing.

What are the pros and cons of cellulose insulation?

What are the Pros and Cons of Cellulose Insulation?

• Versatile and can be combined with spray foam insulation.
• Treated to be fire retardant.
• Cost-effective.
• Similar R-Value to fiberglass insulation.
• Environmentally friendly due to high levels of recycled content.
• Allows for dense packing in existing wall cavities.

How thick should cellulose insulation be in attic?

The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.

Is it OK to put cellulose insulation over fiberglass?

No. Even if you have moisture in your attic, once all bypasses are sealed (and/or your roof repaired by a qualified contractor, if necessary) cellulose is blown directly over the existing insulation. ... Adding new cellulose insulation on top of existing fiberglass insulation is called "capping".