Is Old Grey Attic Insulation Dangerious

Formaldehyde off gasing is a concern so this product is no longer on the market.

Is old grey attic insulation dangerious.

In case of a fire it gives off an extremely toxic smoke that is more dangerous than regular smoke. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. 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. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.

Read on to learn more about whether your attic insulation contains asbestos. If the loose fill insulation is grey puffy and fibrous then that is rock wool insulation. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. 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.

In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with. A few more examples of old insulation are sawdust balsa wood shredded newspaper and loose fill cellulose. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Use caulk or spray foam around seams light fixtures fans and switches as well as plumbing pipes or.

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. Don t store anything in attics insulated with vermiculite and make the area is off limits. Types of dangerous old 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.

Most people are aware of the dangers of asbestos which may cause cancer and other health problems. You may also find thousands upon thousands of loose particles beneath the floorboards of your attic and inside walls. Blown insulation or blown in insulation is a technique used to insulate odd shaped and hard to reach crevices and cavities. Seal off vermiculite insulation.

Now that we know the old attic insulation types on the market the question is whether there is a newer more modern alternative available. All of those can be a dangerous risk. Vermiculite insulation granules keep out of contaminated areas. The primary sources of asbestos danger include vermiculite attic insulation.

How to replace it. Make sure any area containing vermiculite insulation is sealed off from the interior of your home. Further old loft insulation will not biodegrade when put in landfill so throwing it away is not very environmentally friendly.