Is Old Grey Attic Insulation Dangerious

Two types of old insulation that are dangerous to your health are urea formaldehyde foam which is usually gray or yellow and brittle and asbestos.

Is old grey attic insulation dangerious.

Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. Now that we know the old attic insulation types on the market the question is whether there is a newer more modern alternative available. The major attic insulation dangers from this type of material would come from combustion. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.

All of those can be a dangerous risk. A few more examples of old insulation are sawdust balsa wood shredded newspaper and loose fill cellulose. 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. Formaldehyde off gasing is a concern so this product is no longer on the market.

Don t store anything in attics insulated with vermiculite and make the area is off limits. Seal off vermiculite insulation. 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. If the loose fill insulation is grey puffy and fibrous then that is rock wool insulation.

Although some homeowners have used it in this way it was never approved for use in the attic. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. Use caulk or spray foam around seams light fixtures fans and switches as well as plumbing pipes or. How to replace it.

In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. You may also find thousands upon thousands of loose particles beneath the floorboards of your attic and inside walls. Read on to learn more about whether your attic insulation contains asbestos.

The primary sources of asbestos danger include vermiculite attic 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. 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. Most people are aware of the dangers of asbestos which may cause cancer and other health problems. Blown insulation or blown in insulation is a technique used to insulate odd shaped and hard to reach crevices and cavities.