I hear you on the musty smell—cellulose just seems to hang onto it forever. I’ve read that wool insulation can actually absorb and release moisture without getting totally ruined, but I’m skeptical about how it holds up after a real flood. Does it dry out better, or are you just trading one headache for another? Anyone ever actually dried out wool insulation after a leak, or is it just marketing hype?
Wool’s kind of the hipster of insulation—everyone says it’s cool, but you’re not sure until you try it. I had a small leak last year and the wool dried out way better than fiberglass ever did for me. Still smelled like sheep for a while, though. Not perfect, but less gross than soggy cellulose in my book.
Still smelled like sheep for a while, though. Not perfect, but less gross than soggy cellulose in my book.
I’ve had both wool and fiberglass in different spots—honestly, wool’s not cheap but it does bounce back after a leak. I had a pipe burst behind the laundry and the fiberglass was just toast. Had to rip it all out. The sheep smell’s weird at first but beats that musty, moldy stink from wet cellulose any day. For me, it’s about what saves money in the long run... wool’s pricey up front but I didn’t have to replace it, so that’s something.
The sheep smell’s weird at first but beats that musty, moldy stink from wet cellulose any day.
I’ll take “barnyard” over “swamp basement” any time, too. I’ve tried patching up soggy fiberglass with those disposable suits—ended up itching for days and still had to replace the whole mess. Curious if anyone’s actually had luck drying out insulation after a minor leak, or is it always a lost cause? I keep wondering if there’s a trick I’m missing or if replacement is just inevitable.
I’ve tried drying out fiberglass after a small leak with fans and a dehumidifier, but honestly, it always ends up smelling funky no matter what. Maybe if you catch it right away and it’s just barely damp, you can get away with it, but I’ve never had much luck. Anyone ever tried those moisture meters to check if it’s actually dry inside the wall? I always wonder if I’m being too paranoid about hidden mold or not paranoid enough...
