Even old newspaper insulation will still keep much of its thermal properties so unless you need to remove the insulation for other reasons it isn t worth taking the insulation out for efficiency reasons alone.
Is old grey attic insulation dangerious.
A few more examples of old insulation are sawdust balsa wood shredded newspaper and loose fill cellulose.
Now that we know the old attic insulation types on the market the question is whether there is a newer more modern alternative available.
Seal off vermiculite insulation.
Don t store anything in attics insulated with vermiculite and make the area is off limits.
Use caulk or spray foam around seams light fixtures fans and switches as well as plumbing pipes or.
Read on to learn more about whether your attic insulation contains asbestos.
In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles.
Types of dangerous old insulation.
Most people are aware of the dangers of asbestos which may cause cancer and other health problems.
Although some homeowners have used it in this way it was never approved for use in the attic.
One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.
Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand.
If the loose fill insulation is grey puffy and fibrous then that is rock wool insulation.
Vermiculite insulation granules keep out of contaminated areas.
In case of a fire it gives off an extremely toxic smoke that is more dangerous than regular smoke.
All of those can be a dangerous risk.
Cellulose rock wool and fiberglass are common blown in insulating materials that are blown in by specialized blowers or machines to fill up a designated area typically walls and floors.
Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures.
Although most people are aware of the dangers of asbestos there are a few more types of hazardous insulation that are commonly found in older homes.
Make sure any area containing vermiculite insulation is sealed off from the interior of your home.
Blown insulation or blown in insulation is a technique used to insulate odd shaped and hard to reach crevices and cavities.
But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous.
Formaldehyde off gasing is a concern so this product is no longer on the market.
How to replace it.
The major attic insulation dangers from this type of material would come from combustion.
You may also find thousands upon thousands of loose particles beneath the floorboards of your attic and inside walls.
The primary sources of asbestos danger include vermiculite attic insulation.
