Comments on: Frost on Indoor Walls – A Dramatic Insulation Failure

By: Erik Henson

Erik Henson — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 07:38:09 +0000

Just came across this again.
Just came across this again. Some one asked about the location. As you look at the frost photo the left side is an interior wall and the right side is the west facing exterior wall. This is the master bedroom. The left wall divides the master bedroom from the master bathroom. This is Kansas City so we do not use a vapor barrier/ membrane on the interior portion of the wall.

By: Chris Brown

Chris Brown — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 03:45:24 +0000

Ron, I beg to differ with
Ron, I beg to differ with your opinion that this is a material related issue. As a veteran of the insulation contracting and manufacturing industry for almost 50 years, I have seen my share of very similar situations, regardless of insulating materials used. It is almost always an application issue, not a material issue! The key to your statement is the very last part of your last sentance. Use methods that work! By the way, fiberglass is not just a filter material. You personally might not like it, but there is plenty of data out here that supports the performance of fiberglass insulation products. Knowledgeable professionals can essentially fix these types of problems by using combinations of products, if, and I repeat if, they pay attention to the details and the methods they employ.

By: Ron Bolender

Ron Bolender — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 23:28:55 +0000

In Ontario during this cold
In Ontario during this cold winter, this is quite common, maybe not this extreme. When fibreglass is used as an insulation which it is not (it is an air filter)I often see this type of situation. This winter I hav seen water run out of wall assemblies with fibreglass batting in the framing and rigid foam board on the exterior of the sheathing. I have seen mega frost in attics where R40 light density fibreglass was on the attic floor and the tegular mushroom vnets and/or ridge vents were covered with snow. Proper balanced ventilation (using vents that don't get buried under snow) along with an air sealed attic floor and R60 of celluose fibre don't have these conditions. Stop using fibreglass and pay attention to detail will solve these issues. I have been fixing these and other building enclosure issues for 38 years by using materials and methods that work.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 08:34:50 +0000

Questionable detailing along
Questionable detailing along the entire eaves if the photo is indicative.

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 23:28:15 +0000

Where is continuous vapour
Where is continuous vapour barrier/membrane, between gyps and insulation? The entire insulation job would be totally unacceptable in my humble opinion.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:09:54 +0000

A rare winter find indeed.
A rare winter find indeed. Two comments and a suggestion.

1. This looks to be part insulation, part wind wash, and part rh concern.

2. 43% rh is the recommended level for winter months. 46-50% is ideal for occupant health. 30-35% is ideal for building materials. It is here that the problem starts.

Relative humidity is incredibly hard to control in cold climates that experience 40+ degree swings over a couple of hours. This is compounded with insulation and air sealing and the absence of a fresh air circulation and management system.

Suggestion. It is easy to say "manage your rh" and walk away. The challenge that the energy efficiency industry had brought to our homes is one of durability and occupant health. The public has been told to insulate (by any means possible), they've been told to air seal (without explanation), now they are being told to manage relative humidity with even less instruction. Let's see more clarification, instruction, and even though costs associated with each of these steps and less finger pointing (unless it's back at the DOE and the energy efficiency industry for creating this mess)

Michael

By: geoff hartman

geoff hartman — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 15:31:11 +0000

While frost is a rarity, I
While frost is a rarity, I suspect we have all seen similar patterns of mold and mildew on walls or ceilings. - Same factors, just not as extreme.

This photo needs to be included in training & inspection guides.