Now that we know the old attic insulation types on the market the question is whether there is a newer more modern alternative available.
Is old grey attic insulation dangerious.
In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with.
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.
Most people are aware of the dangers of asbestos which may cause cancer and other health problems.
Formaldehyde off gasing is a concern so this product is no longer on the market.
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.
Vermiculite insulation granules keep out of contaminated areas.
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.
In case of a fire it gives off an extremely toxic smoke that is more dangerous than regular smoke.
Don t store anything in attics insulated with vermiculite and make the area is off limits.
If the loose fill insulation is grey puffy and fibrous then that is rock wool insulation.
One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.
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.
Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand.
In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles.
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.
You may also find thousands upon thousands of loose particles beneath the floorboards of your attic and inside walls.
Make sure any area containing vermiculite insulation is sealed off from the interior of your home.
But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous.
The major attic insulation dangers from this type of material would come from combustion.
How to replace it.
Seal off vermiculite insulation.
A few more examples of old insulation are sawdust balsa wood shredded newspaper and loose fill cellulose.
Types of dangerous old insulation.
Further old loft insulation will not biodegrade when put in landfill so throwing it away is not very environmentally friendly.
