When water intrusion impacts wall cavities, what should be checked to ensure insulation hasn't suffered?

When water intrusion impacts wall cavities, checking the R-Value of insulation is essential to assess its effectiveness after being exposed to moisture. The R-Value measures the thermal resistance of the insulation material; a higher R-Value indicates better insulating properties. If the insulation has absorbed water, its R-Value will typically decrease, indicating a loss in its effectiveness to prevent heat transfer. This reduction directly affects the overall thermal performance of the building and can lead to increased energy costs and discomfort within the space.

While cost-effectiveness, color change, and weight might provide some insights about the condition of the insulation, they are not direct indicators of its thermal performance. For example, color change may not occur in all types of insulation or may indicate different issues unrelated to water damage. Weight could potentially change if insulation has become saturated with water, but this alone does not provide a clear understanding of its R-Value or thermal performance. Thus, focusing on the R-Value gives a more definitive assessment of the insulation's integrity and effectiveness following water exposure.