Danger Of White Loose Fill Insulation In Attic

What to do with suspicious insulation.

Danger of white loose fill insulation in attic.

There are three types of blown in insulation. Leaving insulation undisturbed greatly reduces the risk of exposure. If your loose fill insulation fits the visual cues for vermiculite the first thing to do is to avoid disturbing it. People have the greatest risk of developing an illness such as asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma when they are exposed to asbestos dust on a regular basis over many years and any activity that disturbs zonolite can potentially release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air.

It isn t itchy like loose fill fiberglass but appears to be a bit lighter weight and easier to move around. If it is white however it may be a newer product. The three most common types of blown in insulation are loose fill fiberglass cellulose and rock wool each with its own pros and cons. Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic.

All of those can be a dangerous risk. Older types of insulation include loose fill or batt fiberglass which can be pink yellow or white. While this type is often still used older insulation may be discolored or torn and is therefore less effective. Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system.

This is how i did my entire attic without a helper or blow in machine. If the insulation is wool like and gray it may be loose fill rockwool. Loss of insulating value. I asked the seller about it since it was installed 2 years back and the paperwork he had just said r 30 loose fill and it was 10 thick appearing to be r 3 per inch.

The paperwork didn t go into specifics about what type of insulation it. The most common type that homeowners will encounter is called loose fill cellulose insulation. Saturated insulation typically loses at least 40 of its insulating r value. You may also find thousands upon thousands of loose particles beneath the floorboards of your attic and inside walls.

The two most common types of insulation fiberglass batts and blown in cellulose loose fill are vulnerable to attic water damage in two specific ways. Asbestos fibers are most dangerous when they are airborne and can be breathed in. Wet insulation no longer performs its primary function of inhibiting heat transfer. If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building.