Loft insulation - should we remove old one?

juleea

Hi
We have bought some of the 8" loft insulation on offer at B&Q but the existing 4" of loft insulation has a thin layer of mould? (grey discolouration) and smells.
Should we remove this or place the new insulation on top?
Thanks

totalsolutions

Well I would remove the old A) not up to standards b) Contaminated C)
Smells you say? D) Makes a better job

ic

Can you smell it downstairs, or only when your face is in it?

I'd say leave it - then you'll have 12" of insulation, which is the current recommended depth. Pull it up and you'll need more to make up what you've just bought.

Also is it really worth the filth of pulling up that old insulation?

brig001

The grey discolouration could just be where dust has been blown through the insulation, and nothing to worry about. If it really is mould, you need to find any damp that could be causing it.

juleea

We think that the grey is mould, as we are getting lots of condensation on the roof of the loft and everything is wet. We have air vents at the side and apex of the roof and the current insulation is not blocking them - so not sure why it is still getting wet.

Everything in the loft smells damp and fowsty (or however you spell it!!).

bockster

lots of people have had trouble with condensation in their lofts this winter due to still, damp weather conditions, lack of ventilation (although even ventilated lofts have suffered) and people adding insulation making the lofts colder.
so don't think your alone with that problem, was very much documented in this forum.

Mikeyorks

The additional insulation (leave the old in place) will amplify the condensation problem .. as it will further reduce the drying effect of warm air bleeding into the loft. So you need to resolve it.

It has been the sort of winter that has exposed poor ventilation .... which is the more likely cause. Unless you're generating humidity into the loft?