Asbestos Loose Fill Cellulose Insulation

If it was built after 1990 the chances are reduced but not eliminated.

Asbestos loose fill cellulose insulation.

Spray on insulation usually white asbestos mixed with cement or plaster was unfortunately common. Wet spray cellulose is comparable. The chief value of this shape and size is that the insulation can fit in enclosed areas such as walls and can conform around obstructions such as wires and ducts found both in walls and in attics. The other two insulations will hold moisture only on their glass or mineral fiber surfaces.

Cellulose insulation is thick dense and clumpy with a consistency much like down feathers. These non asbestos insulations include cellulosic insulations such as loose fill cellulose and balsam wool batts cotton insulation fiberglass insulation mineral wool insulation slag wool insulation and rock wool insulation. Expands while curing filling bypasses and providing excellent resistance to air infiltration unlike batts and blankets which can leave bypasses and air pockets and superior to some types of loose fill. Blown in or loose fill cellulose fiberglass or rockwool only cellulose will absorb moisture but this is only a problem if it gets drenched such as by roof leaks into an attic or building wall.

However there are loose fill wall and attic insulation which can contain asbestos. Moisture absorption of cellulose insulation. When a paper based cellulose mix is utilized by builders it is treated with something called boric acid to give it fire resistance properties. Because the libby mine closed in 1990 houses built or remodeled before that date might have asbestos containing attic insulation.

Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. I have looked at your photos in detail. Your loose fill insulation may contain asbestos if. As an asbestos alternative cellulose insulation is made from many different materials including cardboard hemp straw newspaper and many other different materials.

If you re insulation is the batt style insulation as the loose fill insulation has the higher risk as it s loosely poured into wall or joist cavities. The insulation particles have a certain color. What is loose fill cellulose insulation. If your attic or wall insulation is in batt or blanket form whether it s fiberglass cellulose or another material you generally don t have to be concerned about asbestos.

The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. However asbestos can also be found in some forms of wall and loose fill attic insulation as well. If the insulation is in batt form there is nothing to worry about it is loose fill insulation poured loosely into wall stud cavities or joists that are problematical. You may also find thousands of loose particles within walls or under attic flooring.

Your house was built before 1990.