Problems with wet insulation found during inspection

Q. I recently did a home inspection on a new house and found problems involving wet cellulose insulation in the walls. The insulation was installed about three months ago and the wall panels under the siding are now warped. In fact, the panels are still wet and so is the insulation. Installing wet insulation inside the walls of a home seems like a bad idea, but I'd like to know what you think about it.

A. Spraying wet cellulose insulation into wall cavities has become a common construction practice in many areas of the country. Those who sell and install this product are strong advocates for its use, but encapsulated moisture inside the walls of a building is at odds with common sense for the following reasons:

• Moisture that is contained in closed wall cavities is unlikely to dry out very quickly. When wood-based materials, such as plywood or chipboard panels, are in constant contact with moisture, warping and expansion are likely to occur.

• Cellulose insulation is comprised primarily of pulverized newspaper, which is a perfect food for mold. All the paper needs to promote active mold growth is moisture and a dark environment.

• Electrical boxes for outlets and switches are also contained in the wall cavities where the wet insulation is installed. Moisture condensation and corrosion of electrical components are recipes for eventual trouble.

• Some manufacturers of cellulose insulation claim that a vapor retarder is not needed on a building when cellulose insulation is used. But the building codes in most areas require vapor retarders. Therefore, these manufacturers tend to be at odds with the building code. They probably know the vapor retarder will prevent the insulation from drying out.

You should discuss these points with your local building officials to see if they support the continued use of wet cellulose insulation in your area. When inspecting homes where this type of insulation has been installed, you should recommend a professional mold survey of the building.

Q. My neighbor has a wood-burning stove with a 5-foot tall smoke stack. He uses it to heat his home during the fall and winter months. His house sits below mine so that the top of his chimney is just above my back fence. When the wind blows in my direction, I get a cloud of smoke, my nose runs, and my eyes burn. This seems to be a hazardous condition, but the county refuses to intervene. What can I do?

A. The top of a chimney is required to be at least two feet higher than any construction that is within a radius of 10 feet. If your house is more than 10 feet from that pipe, you may not have an enforceable case. If it is within 10 feet of your house, the chimney installation is in violation of code and should not be ignored by the county building official. If the building department refuses to take action, you should make an appointment to speak with your county supervisor. Elected officials often help citizens deal with stubborn and unreasonable bureaucrats.

• To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at www.housedetective.com, or write AMG, 1776 Jami Lee Court, Suite 218, San Luis Obispo, CA 94301.

© 2015, Action Coast Publishing