Loose fill insulation

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mrfee

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#251533 29-Jun-2019 20:32

We have recently recieved council consent to carry out a renovation to our 1960's property in Auckland. Due to the age of this property, we are in prime asbestos territory. I plan on sending a few samples through to be tested before we begin the work so we know what we are working with and can deal with it as appropriate. It is likely that the soffits contain asbestos based on their appearance but the material that I am not sure on is the loose fill insulation. From doing a bit of reading and speaking to some tradesmen, it appears that loose fill insulation in NZ did not contain asbestos (although an australian based product "Mr. Fluffy" was entirely asbestos based but hasn't been found in NZ).

From looking in the roof cavity, it looks like there are remenants of loose fill insulation that has largely been removed and replaced with yellow batts. There is this (http://imgur.com/a/nBy6OeZ) label stapled to the rafters which looks like it refers to the loose fill insulation. The insulation itself looks like (http://imgur.com/a/pH6qZVV).

Is it worth sending a sample of the loose fill insulation to be tested for asbestos? Does anyone have any further thoughts?

stevenk

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#2267007 29-Jun-2019 21:14

Nothing wrong with getting a sample tested to put your mind at rest.

However, I remember FibreSeal. My parents had it installed in a house in 1980 or 1981 and I remember that one of the selling points was that the product was based on wood pulp. From the photos you've posted, it sort of looks like what I'd expect mashed-up wood to look like.

mrfee

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#2267011 29-Jun-2019 21:36

Hey thanks for the reply. I agree that it is probably worth getting a test done for peace of mind. Interesting that you have come across this product before! I was hoping that somebody here would have heard of it as I am struggling to find any info online about it. Interestingly google searches for FibreSeal return an asbestos sealant product which seems to be unrelated.

gzt

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#2267307 30-Jun-2019 13:40

stevenk:
Nothing wrong with getting a sample tested to put your mind at rest.

However, I remember FibreSeal. My parents had it installed in a house in 1980 or 1981 and I remember that one of the selling points was that the product was based on wood pulp. From the photos you've posted, it sort of looks like what I'd expect mashed-up wood to look like.

There was a similar looking loose fill product called rockwool mineral fibre blown into roof cavities in the same era. No asbestos content as far as I know.

bfginger

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#2267531 30-Jun-2019 22:23

Some early blown rock wool did contain asbestos but I doubt that was used in New Zealand. Its main failing is over time it can slump and move. Cellulose based insulation has the same problem but it often never worked very well in the first place. Old fibreglass is more hazardous to inhale than newer fibreglass but not on the same scale as asbestos.

Tinkerisk

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#2267588 1-Jul-2019 04:07

The yellow is glass wool. Rock wool contains what it says - as glass wool does. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_wool

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Kickinbac

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#2267919 1-Jul-2019 19:25

How about calling an insulation removal company and asking them if there is any risk of asbestos?
Could try www.fluffbusters.co.nz

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mrfee

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#2267923 1-Jul-2019 19:35

Thought I would provide an update for anyone who comes across this in the future:

I have collected and sent three samples to the lab to be tested and got the results back in two hours

Fibre cement sheet from the soffit - tested positive for asbestos (Chrysotile + Amosite)
Remenants of old lino flooring (someone did a very haphazard job of replacing the lino many years ago and some of the old lino backing remains on the skirting board) - tested positive for asbestos (Chrysotile)
The loose fill insulation - no asbestos (Organic fibre)

Which is basically what we suspected. It is reassuring to know that the loose fill insulation doesn't contain asbestos as it is essentially everywhere in the roof cavity!