Why choose T8 LED bulbs
1, High purity, bright color. At present…See More
Unknown Old Insulation
I'm pretty sure I've never seen this stuff before. It's installed in rafters as batts, held in place by cardboard sheets below. Papery consistency, now crumbling. The house is ~1923, but no idea when this was installed.
Anyone know what it might be? Thanks for any help here.
Views: 867
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Bob Kretvix on -
Never saw this, but looks a little like air-cell pipe insulation. This is considered Presumed Asbestos Containing Material. You should have it tested by an accredited Asbestos Inspector before doing anything to disturb it.
-
Permalink Reply by Glen Gallo on -
looks like old rock wool batts
-
Permalink Reply by Robert Meeker on -
It looks like some insulation I encountered on some ducting installed in the 1960s. I had it tested for asbestos and the results came back as just being all cellulose.
-
Permalink Reply by Robert Riversong on -
It appears to be mineral wool, but it could also be an old Balsam Wool (wood-fiber) batt. Neither would contain asbestos.
-
Permalink Reply by Bob Kretvix on
-
All I can say is that if it isn't known and has the appearance of something that could contain asbestos (i.e., not clearly fiberglass or mineral wool, etc), OSHA requires that it be PRESUMED to contain asbestos and treated as such until negated by testing. So if unsure, testing is required if its going to be disturbed.
-
Permalink Reply by tedkidd on -
Expanding on the "humid area" question - do you think the material has gone through numerous wet/dry cycles? Looks like it's turned to dried oatmeal in the pictures
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Bowman on -
Many thanks to all for suggestions here.
Over at InspectionNews someone else offered the name "Balsam Wool" — and with a little further digging online, that led me to what I now think is the actual answer, an old Kimberly-Clark product called "Kimsul".
Pennsylvania inspector Bill Kibbel, here, describes Kimsul as "layered creped paper," which fits my first impression of the stuff. The photo doesn't convey this very well. And as Ted Kidd says, it's pretty deteriorated at this point.
Kibbel seems certain that Kimsul was manufactured asbestos-free. NY inspector Debra Monte, on the other hand, here seems equally sure of the contrary. So at this point I'm expecting to have to get it tested. — I canned the BD test on my visit date, incidentally, because of this stuff.
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Bowman on
-
We had a sample of the insulation lab-tested, and the result was a negative without qualification — no asbestos found. This is only one case, of course. For all I know, some of the product was made with asbestos and some wasn't. But it would seem that it's wrong to say definitively that Kimsul has asbestos in it.
Still wise to wear a dust mask in any attic and around insulation generally, of course.
-
Permalink Reply by Bob Kretvix on
-
At least you know now. So many materials contain asbestos its probably more difficult to say it doesn't than it does. Good luck.
-
Permalink Reply by Brian Robinson on -
We've seen this before on several occasions. It is a cellulosic based product - essentially crenulated or creped paper.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/1099183575035133639rVRBwi
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1939-KIMSUL-INSULATION-Catalog-Photos-Home-...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=1937%20AD%20KIMSUL%20BUILDING...
1933
Kimsul Insulation- Seeking new ways to introduce its products for consumer use, Kimberley-Clark created Kimsul, a home insulating product made of creped wadding, impregnated with asphalt. Originally, Kimsul began as insulation paneling for refrigerators. Later, the product appeared in automobiles as dashboard insulation.
Kimsul was promoted as the insulation with many-layer construction; unlike then-typical loose bulk insulation, Kimsul had layers stitched together to form a blanket of uniform thickness.
In connection with a famous 1948 movie, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House," starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy, Kimsul was advertised as the insulation used in the dream house. The product was easy to install and was resistant to fire, moisture, fungus, vermin and termites. National advertising for the product urged consumers to "Wrap your home in a blanket of Kimsul."
Earlier, Kimsul had been the standard material for insulating Navy quonset huts (prefabricated metal buildings) during World War II. It gave protection against the tropical heat and Alaskan cold.
Home Energy Pros
Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.
Latest Activity
Judi Lyall joined allen p tanner's group
Energy Auditing Equipment for Sale, Trade or to Purchase
Discuss the pros and cons of the equipment you are interested in prior to purchase. Post equipment…See More
Judi Lyall replied to David Starrett's discussion I am looking for a good IR camera in the group Energy Auditing Equipment for Sale, Trade or to Purchase"Hi there
I am selling my equipment and have a great Fluke TIR for sale for 3600.00
If…"
William H Nickerson commented on Tom Delconte's blog post Lykans $29, Vampires $0 !"66 watts a/sec -3960 w/min 237600 w/hr 5702400 w/day …"
tedkidd commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"I think Tom is busting your chops Jim. The "drivel" part may not have been well…"
Tom Maides commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"Some of the best scientists of the previous 1000 years were also leaders in the Church. Aside…"
Laurie DiDonato posted an eventHERS Rater Training in Massachusetts at Maki Building Center
June 3, 2013 to June 8, 2013
6-Day HERS Rater Training- The first step to becoming a HERS RaterLast Week To Register!Your Cost…See More
Tom Delconte posted a blog postLykans $29, Vampires $0 !
Just wondered, does anyone know of a better looking intelligent managed power strip?…See More
Jim Gunshinan commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"Thank you everyone for your comments. And I mean everyone. "
Edward Foskey commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"I see no problem with it... Jim, thanks for sharing from your heart not only your faith, but the…"
William H Nickerson commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"Tom , Once again you missed the bigger story
As a rater who cant sell Energy star because most…"
© 2013 Created by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
