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  1. #1
    Peter Wigle's Avatar
    Peter Wigle Guest

    Default Name for this OLD loose insulation?

    Found this in the attic of a 140 year old house. Combination of wood shavings, vermiculite (if it can be white), and some hard bits of stuff which looks like plaster mud or stone/mineral. Is there a name for this mixture, or is it just some random by-product?

    Thanks,

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  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Name for this OLD loose insulation?

    Peter,

    You run into some weird stuff! I would say it is a composite of vermiculite and wood shavings and be done with it. Probably not enough insulation anyway.

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  3. #3
    Jon Randolph's Avatar
    Jon Randolph Guest

    Default Re: Name for this OLD loose insulation?

    Possibly asbestos containing material.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Default Re: Name for this OLD loose insulation?

    Peter,

    I would simply describe it as you did, then add Gunnar's and Jon's comments:

    Attic Insulation:

    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Wigle View Post
    Combination of wood shavings, vermiculite (if it can be white), and some hard bits of stuff which looks like plaster mud or stone/mineral. Is there a name for this mixture, or is it just some random by-product,
    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist View Post
    Probably not enough insulation anyway.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Randolph View Post
    Possibly asbestos containing material.
    Pretty much describes it, advises it is likely not of much use, and warns as to what *it might* contain.

    The only other thing I would add is "Potentially a fire hazard." When talking with your client, if you tested it to see if it ignites, you could say 'Makes good kindling for starting fires. I tested some outside, want to see it go up in flames?'

    Did you try to ignite some (not in the attic, of course, but outside)?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
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    2,048

    Default Re: Name for this OLD loose insulation?

    Agree with Gunnar, looks like vermiculite with other stuff. Tell the client to have it tested. They can put some in a baggie and send it off to a lab. Costs about 50-75 bucks around here.

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  6. #6
    Jon Randolph's Avatar
    Jon Randolph Guest

    Default Re: Name for this OLD loose insulation?

    Quote Originally Posted by Markus Keller View Post
    Agree with Gunnar, looks like vermiculite with other stuff. Tell the client to have it tested. They can put some in a baggie and send it off to a lab. Costs about 50-75 bucks around here.

    Keep in mind that a negative test for asbestos does not mean that asbestos is not present in the vermiculite, only that it wasn't found in the sample submitted and analyzed.


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