Asbestos

Archive Public Archive
21

Originally Posted By: mkober
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


David’s photo has the appearance (consistency) of cellulose, but also looks somewhat lighter in color (“colour”, for David) than the cellulose I’ve seen and worked with. Maybe it IS blown fiberglass, which I’ve only seen once or twice.

–
Michael J. Kober, P.E. and H.I.


"NACHI Member and Proud Of It!"
22

Originally Posted By: aslimack
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


I’ve installed both cellulose and loose fiberglass many times. Cellulose is for the most part, ground up newspaper treated for fire and insects. The newspaper is part (maybe all) of what gives it the greyish color when ground up. The ink on the paper. Maybe its the chemicals as well. I don’t know. The fiberglass that i always used was the stuff pictured above. I also see the more clumpy appearing pink loose fiberglass, though i never installed that type/brand.


We actually installed much more cellulose than fiberglass. We only used the white fiberglass while i was installing it. The consistency is a little different. When you look closely at the picture above, you can see the more feathery appearance. The cellulose will be more like pocket lint.

Adam, A plus

23

Originally Posted By: mlong
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


bkelly1 wrote:
Mark, If these can be used in fireplaces, why not in attics?


I don't know why not, except that other materials seem to do a better job for insulation. Rock wool was certainly used for a period of time but fell out of use for some reason. I don't know if it was because it didn't have as much R value as say fiberglass or what the reason was. I think that rock wool may also have a tendancy to compact over time.

I'm not sure how much use vermiculite gets anymore. Back when I was involved in building homes from the early eighties to the late nineties, we mostly used fiberglass batts in our area, but I think it is still used as a blown in insulation. Besides being used in gas fireplaces, I know it is used as insulation material around stainless steel liners that are installed in masonry chimneys. It is also sometimes used as a swimming pool bottom material, usually with a little cement mixed with it, in vinyl liner pools.
24

Originally Posted By: rsmith5
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


that something contains asbestos then say it is “asbestos suspect material” and recommend it be tested and removed by a professional.


Ralph

25

Originally Posted By: tsiegert
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


I did an inspection yesterday on a 1923 built home. The attic had blown cellulose covering the entire area but when I went to check the depth I found another layer of what looked like soft white material that had been poured in between the ceiling studs? It was fluffy like marshmallows not like any a blown insulation. I have never seen anything like it any ideas? Any chance it could be asbestos?

26

Originally Posted By: jwortham
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Ralph,


Sorry, I don't agree.

When I KNOW it contains asbestos, I will state "possible asbestos material".

When i SUSPECT it contains asbestos, i will state "possible asbestos material".

Since I am not an asbestos specialist, I won't ever state I KNOW it has asbestos in it.

If i suspect it, don't state it because I was not sure, and it turns out to be asbestos, I am in a much worse position than if I let them know it could be asbestos but to be sure, get it tested and it turns out to not be.

27

Originally Posted By: ecrofutt
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Report comment:




The white tape at the air conditioning duct joints is what appears to be an asbestos containing material. The only way to definitively identify it as asbestos containing material is through laboratory testing.

I recommend that you contact a qualified asbestos abatement contractor to determine the best method to positively determine whether or not the material contains asbestos, determine the best repair method, estimate costs, and perform the necessary repairs.

Contractors may be found by looking in the yellow pages under "Asbestos Abatement"

ASBESTOS CARE & REMOVAL

First don?t panic and walk away from the purchase of a good home, just because it MAY have some asbestos containing material in it. Educate yourself about the asbestos issues.

There are many sources of information available:
The library, the internet, government agencies, and asbestos abatement contractors are a few.

There are two primary methods of dealing with asbestos containing material:
Encapsulation (seal it up in place)
Abatement (removing it)

Remember that asbestos abatement contractors make their living removing asbestos and may have a personal interest in convincing you to remove it.

According to the State of Kentucky?s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Division for Air Quality web site, there are no regulations on asbestos removal in "residential use homes and apartment buildings having no more than four dwelling units".
Web Site Address: http://www.air.ky.gov.daqhome.html . Look for Asbestos information.

Remember that this issue may come back again when you decide to sell the house.

Educate yourself about asbestos before dealing with this issue.
=================================

--
Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections
Georgetown, Kentucky
www.b4uclose.com

28

Originally Posted By: Ryan Livengood
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Jeffery Wortham,


Just wanted to point out two quick things just for your future knowledge jeffery. One is that the first photo that you showed was of vermiculite, which has been discussed, and sometimes can be seen with asbestos containing materials but it does not contain it itself. Secondly is that if you truly do put in your reports "possible asbestos material" and are not EPA certified as required by the toxic substances control act (TSCA) among other regulations both state and federal, then you are taking on criminal and regulatory liability. If any one of your clients sees that you are not certified to make that statement, they would have a valid case in taking you to court. I have an EPA certification as required by my state and the fed's, and keep about 1 million in liability insurance for that purpose which is standard practice for the field. I just wanted to let you know that you have the potential for a serious problem and I dont want you to get in that position. I hope this helps