Is Old Attic Insulation Dangerous

When preparing for renovations of older homes you will likely encounter old insulation.

Is old attic insulation dangerous.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Don t store anything in attics insulated with vermiculite and make the area is off limits. Rummaging around in your friend s newly renovated attic you notice what looks like a rolled up blanket in the far corner. One of the biggest problems with old attic insulation types is that some of them are contaminated with asbestos.

A few more examples of old insulation are sawdust balsa wood shredded newspaper and loose fill cellulose. Types of dangerous old insulation. Seal off vermiculite insulation. 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.

Old insulation will cause higher energy bills invite rodents into your home and make the air in your home unhealthy to breathe. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. You give it a kick and the blanket unfurls onto the floor. Is insulation like fiberglass dangerous.

See more pictures of hidden home dangers. Ben martin time life pictures getty images. Use caulk or spray foam around seams light fixtures fans and switches as well as plumbing pipes or. If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Services crawl space attic insulation. Learn how to identify old ceiling insulation. As we mentioned previously vermiculite can often come with some asbestos mixed into it.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Make sure any area containing vermiculite insulation is sealed off from the interior of your home. Old attic insulation types.

Depending on the type it could be dangerous to your health damaged or simply too old to be as effective as modern insulation. Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic. Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous.

Vermiculite insulation granules keep out of contaminated areas. Foamular insulation is unsafe in attic locations. And as we all know asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore. Recessed lighting in the ceilings just below the attic over a period can heat the area enough to encourage mold growth if the insulation is damp.