Is Old Grey Attic Insulation Dangerious

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.

Is old grey attic insulation dangerious. Although some homeowners have used it in this way it was never approved for use in the attic. All of those can be a dangerous risk. The major attic insulation dangers from this type of material would come from combustion. Formaldehyde off gasing is a concern so this product is no longer on the market.

You may also find thousands upon thousands of loose particles beneath the floorboards of your attic and inside walls. 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. The primary sources of asbestos danger include vermiculite attic insulation. How to replace it.

Read on to learn more about whether your attic insulation contains asbestos. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Make sure any area containing vermiculite insulation is sealed off from the interior of your home.

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. Further old loft insulation will not biodegrade when put in landfill so throwing it away is not very environmentally friendly. If the loose fill insulation is grey puffy and fibrous then that is rock wool insulation. Most people are aware of the dangers of asbestos which may cause cancer and other health problems.

Seal off vermiculite insulation. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. In case of a fire it gives off an extremely toxic smoke that is more dangerous than regular smoke. Types of dangerous old insulation.

A few more examples of old insulation are sawdust balsa wood shredded newspaper and loose fill cellulose. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. Blown insulation or blown in insulation is a technique used to insulate odd shaped and hard to reach crevices and cavities.

In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with. Use caulk or spray foam around seams light fixtures fans and switches as well as plumbing pipes or. Don t store anything in attics insulated with vermiculite and make the area is off limits.