What is this?

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1

Originally Posted By: Veronica & Jim
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


We have an old Victorian-style home built in 1915 in Minnesota.


In remodeling our bathroom, after removing the plaster, we observed


batt-style insulation between the lath and outside shiplap sheathing.


The insulation is approximately 1-1/2" thick.


It looks like brown wool with pieces of twine mixed in it.


The insulation is covered on both sides with brown paper,


and it is stiched with a heavy string.


Anyone know what it is?


We hope it’s not toxic.


We were also wondering if it could be something produced by


some farm supply company in the early 1900’s.


Any Ideas?


Thanks very much.


Veronica and Jim.

2

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


Most insulation companies lablelled their product with writing on one side or the other of the brown paper. Is there any writing? Description doesn’t ring a bell. Got a digital photo?

–
Erby Crofutt


B4U Close Home Inspections


Georgetown, Kentucky


www.b4uclose.com

3

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


Sounds like the bag contains the contents of a horse stall…horse bits included.

4

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


I do a lot of historic homes and they are different all over the country. From what you have described it sounds like Kapok it is a fiber (organic) used for many things around the turn of the century. Now for a history lesson some other things found as insolation are shredded leather, excelsior, Hemp, Shredded paper, rubberized animal hair, saw dust, etc… icon_biggrin.gif icon_biggrin.gif icon_biggrin.gif icon_biggrin.gif

5

Originally Posted By: Veronica & Jim
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


ecrofutt wrote:
Most insulation companies lablelled their product with writing on one side or the other of the brown paper. Is there any writing? Description doesn't ring a bell. Got a digital photo?


Dear Erby,
Thank you for your reply.
From the pieces that my husband pulled out,
I have not been able to find any writing yet.
I will get some digital photos and post them
as soon as I can.
That may take a few days to get my husband Jim
to do this for me. He's a carpenter, and seems to work
all the time now that the weather is good.
But I will do my best to get the name if there is any,
and a photo.
Buy the way, Jim did ask another older carpenter from the crew
and he said it may be Bolsa Wool?
Thanks again Erby.
Veronica
6

Originally Posted By: Veronica & Jim
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


mcraig wrote:
I do a lot of historic homes and they are different all over the country. From what you have described it sounds like Kapok it is a fiber (organic) used for many things around the turn of the century. Now for a history lesson some other things found as insolation are shredded leather, excelsior, Hemp, Shredded paper, rubberized animal hair, saw dust, etc... ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif) ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif) ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif) ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)


Dear Michael,
Does this stuff you spoke about, Kapok, have pieces of twine in it?
Also, this stuff we have is brown, and looks just like spun wool.
Thank you for replying.
Veronica ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif) ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif) ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif) ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)
7

Originally Posted By: Veronica & Jim
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Chad Fabry wrote:
Sounds like the bag contains the contents of a horse stall..horse bits included.

But how did they get it so chopped-up and fine?
Veronica. ![icon_wink.gif](upload://ssT9V5t45yjlgXqiFRXL04eXtqw.gif)
8

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


Easy


La Ma-chine ![nachi_sarcasm.gif](upload://6HQh6KbNiD73gqTNQInjrR2zeJw.gif) The miracle kitchen device

Paul

9

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


Yes you will find all kinds of twine and things that look like brown cotton balls in it too. It was originally a light white color but age tends to turn it brownish it was processed in mills like cotton so it has all kinds of scrap in it like twine, plant stems etc…