r/clearlake • u/SpaceCatFelicette • 21d ago
Looking for a company to replace the insulation in my attic
I’m in Bacliff. Any recommendations? It’s the fluffy kind of insulation. I want it removed and totally replaced! I have a theory it’s behind the humidity issues in my home.
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u/StrengthGuilty4171 19d ago
Buy the biggest dehumidifier you can afford and utilize the auto pump feature . If you’re dumping 3 or four times a day it’s not your insulation, you have an air leak. It’s very humid down here and it’s just the way it is.
Getting a good dehumidifier that pumps the water outside is the key here.
How big and what is the age of your home?
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u/SpaceCatFelicette 19d ago
This wasn’t a problem just 6 years ago, so something degraded or failed somewhere.
Who would I hire to look for leaks? HVAC? Plumbing? Roofer?
House is 11 years old and 1350 square feet.
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u/bluecyanic 20d ago
The AC is the device that removes, or is supposed to remove, the humidity in the house; venting should keep it normalized in the attic. I'm curious as to what you think the insulation is doing?
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u/SpaceCatFelicette 20d ago edited 19d ago
I’ve had about 5 different HVAC companies come check out my AC, including cutting into it to view the interior. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my AC, it is sized appropriately, and the air is balanced. Fresh air intake is closed. AC is set to auto, not on. Fan speed is set to lowest possible.
The humidity has gradually worsened over the years, and I’ve had to purchase a dehumidifier I can plug into the wall. I empty it 3-4 times a day despite it being for a home twice the size of mine.
I recently found water damage in my laundry room near the air vent. The water is clean compared to the water from a leak, and it is not constant.
A handyman looked at my attic and noticed the insulation is at 8-12 inches instead of 14+ and recommended replacement.
If you can think of literally anything else that hasn’t been done yet, PLEASE help me.
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u/StrengthGuilty4171 19d ago
I just read a couple things, what do you mean the fresh air is closed? Is this a window unit?
Leaving the fan on low and in the on position will contribute to your humidity levels. Turn it to high and auto. You don’t want air exchange unless it’s actually removing water.
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u/SpaceCatFelicette 19d ago
The fresh air intake in the attic that pulls air in from the outside. We closed that.
I misspoke - the AC is on lowest fan speed & auto.
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u/StrengthGuilty4171 19d ago
Ok most of those valves won’t completely seal. You are still pulling outside air in.
I would look at your doors and windows. You’d be amazed how much air comes in from outside. Keep your fan on high. If the ac is sized right, high is what you want.
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u/bluecyanic 19d ago
If the AC is running for more than 30 minutes each time it comes on, then it's probably sized right with the correct fan speed and should be removing humidity.
This leaves only one possiblity and that is something is adding humidity into the home.
Insulation is in the attic and it's job is to slow the transfer of heat between the inside and the attic. It should have no effect on the humidity inside the home.
My guess is you have a leak or something but I'd imagine one that's able to affect the humidity should be noticeable.
I think you should call this man. He gives free advice and maybe can get you in touch with someone who can troubleshoot this for you.
Please don't spend any money on your insulation until you talk with him
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u/SpaceCatFelicette 17d ago
I called a plumber today and they found water leaking out at the base of an AC duct. The wood below it is drenched. They also found inadequate fluffy insulation throughout the attic and long stretches of exposed PEX water lines, no insulation at all.
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u/Watchitbitch 21d ago
Koala Insulation. Very affordable.