robin1234

I just read this information about vermiculite attic insulation.
http://www.graceclaims.com/

This looks a lot like the vermiculite that you can buy in garden centers etc. for mixing with potting soil.

I have another form of insulation in my house (built 1865-ish, but I think the upstairs was remodelled in about 1936 after a serious fire, so this insulation may date from then.) It is a loose-fill, gray, very light-weight substance. Looks like either shredded newsprint or some kind of wool-waste. Does this ring a bell with anybody? I've never got an intelligible answer from a contractor or other local person as to what it is. I've often wondered if it is a a fire risk, or carcinogenic, or otherwise a candidate for replacement.

My attic is about 66ft by 22ft, and it is about 2ft thick, so it is an awful lot of material.

another bloody yank

We had what sounds like the same stuff in a house that was built in 1915 or so. I really don't know what it is or if it's dangerous. I can say that modern insulation is much more efficient though.

Just had a look around google and found this:http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=187725

Ray

Probably an early rockwool..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_insulation

lapin_windstar

Tangentially, wool waste was going to be the next big thing in insulation materials a couple of years ago. I wonder if it was ever brought to market.

Bill_S

We have a winner!

Almost certainly rockwool. Non-flammable, non-toxic, inert.

Ray

Unfortunately early Rockwool ..was not altogether safe ...

Bill_S

Don't go scaring him, now. I have rockwool in the attic of my 1925 house and I'm not worried about it. Many old houses contain "unsafe" material - lead paint, asbestos flooring, knob & tube wiring, etc. As long as everything is intact and undisturbed there's little to be concerned about.

At least up north we don't find scorpions in our slippers...

Ray

But it can be arranged


Your right though ..early wall plaster was approaching 25% asbestos ..
far more than insulation

robin1234

Thanks, everyone, for useful information...

I'm still a bit sceptical -- from some searches I've done, as well as rockwool and similar mineral products, it seems that shredded newsprint has been used as house insulation (after being treated with chemicals to make it supposedly flame retardant.) Mine is very lightweight, grey in colour, almost powdery. Is that what your rockwool insulation looks like? Your house is 1925 which is almost the same period as mine...

Ray

Whatever it is ..replace it ...wearing a good mask ...

meauxna

I saw that ad this weekend and went down the same path as you.. 1925 build here, and we have the shreddie newsprint stuff as well.
AND the old knob n' tube, AND asbestos-covered heating ducts AND lathe & plaster walls. I agree with Bill, as long as things are not torn or broken, they are still safe. Every pro inspection I've had tells me so.

Bill_S

That's exactly what it looks like. Shredded newsprint is much newer.

Ray

I disagree ....

meauxna

Well, that *was* a little vague, I'll admit. Consider it modified.

trottytrue

I'll just want to give a little word of advice that are local experts here in NH said yesterday when they came to look at our attic. If you overdo the insulation and don't leave room for circulation then you can get mold build up.