If you notice any discoloration on your insulation such as brown, black, or even pink or orange particles, you are dealing with a dirt or mold problem. Insulation sheets are a solid color, so any discoloration will be obvious.
Yet black insulating material, as we've mentioned, is not necessarily black mold. Air leaking from your house can discolor the fiberglass. This is because the air is carrying particulates and moisture, turning the fiberglass black.
To get a closer look at the suspected mold, use a flashlight and a magnifying glass. Wear protective gear, like goggles, gloves and a mask, just in case. Toxic black mold on insulation can also look green or gray in the middle with white edges before it turns black.
Fiberglass gets discolored when it filters the air leaking from your house. Over the years, the air leaking from the house, carrying dust and other particulates and moisture, turns the fiberglass black. So wherever you see black fiberglass, dig down and look for where the air is leaking out.
When portions of insulating material harbor mold spores, then you should replace it. Even if the material dries out, mold spores can become airborne and travel to other wet areas of the house. If you catch it early enough, then you'll only need to replace a small section of material, keeping your cost lower.
Stachybotrys chartarum typically appears black or extremely dark gray in color. This mold tends to have very round splotches with a speckled appearance. Often, you see darker layers of mold over lighter layers.
Douse the insulation in a bleach solution (1 cup bleach and 1 gallon hot water) and scrape clean with a wire brush.
The short answer is no but spraying foam insulation over mold isn't a magic cure. Will spray foam kill mold? Yes, because spray foam creates an air seal and will starve that mold of its food source -- moisture and oxygen -- and will inhibit any future growth, it will also cause the mold to become dormant.
Wet insulation can be a health hazard that allows mold and mildew to grow. When you notice any wet insulation in your attic, you need to find the source of the problem and fix it as soon as possible. Wet insulation is a serious problem.
Blown fiberglass comes in three common colors: white, pink or yellow and the colors simply identify the manufacturer. Blown-in fiberglass insulation in attics typically has an R-value of 2.5 per inch. The density of the blown-in fiberglass determines the R-value just like it does for a batt.
Unless damaged, it can last 80 to 100 years in most houses before it needs to be replaced. However, insulation can start falling from fiberglass batts after 15 to 20 years, so if your insulation was installed in batts well over a decade ago, it might be time for an inspection or a home energy audit.
Mold is a serious problem that can lead to respiratory issues and other illnesses, so moldy insulation should be removed immediately. Take care when removing the insulation to isolate the spores and dispose of the moldy products properly.
Because of the risks that come with mold exposure, it can be unsafe to sleep in a house with mold, particularly in the affected areas because you put yourself at risk of mold allergies. This becomes especially concerning if you are sensitive to the mold.
For a natural solution for getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.
Mold begins spreading the second a spore hits damp, fiber-rich materials; wood, cloth, drywall and other porous surfaces are fair game in the spreading of mold. In many cases, black mold can spread to cover an entire square inch of your home per day.
How Long Does Blown in Attic Insulation Last? Regardless of what kind of insulation you choose, blown insulation is a permanent solution. Cellulose insulation lasts 20-30 years because it is made from recycled natural materials, whereas fiberglass materials will last much longer because it does not degrade.
Your insulation needs to be removed along with the droppings, as it'll carry some of its toxicity if left in your attic. Removing old insulation and replacing it with new ones will not only rid your home from any rodent infestation and mold, but also improve its energy efficiency and overall air quality.
When you get into the world of building science, it's inevitable that you'll hear about the study that proved fiberglass insulation loses half its R-value because of convection within the insulation.
Mold can grow on the fiberglass insulation backing, which is made of paper and is a mold food source. Fiberglass insulation without backing may be the best choice. Cellulose insulation is constructed of ground paper, which is an ideal food source for the growth of mold if it becomes wet.
Rolled fiberglass insulation scores an R-value of 3.7. So overall, rolled fiberglass insulation is slightly more effective at blocking in and out heat than its blown counterpart.
Many people consider fiberglass batt to be the best attic insulation. It consists of plastic reinforced by small glass fibers. The batt version comes in blanket form — i.e., small, pre-cut sections that you can lay down wherever you need to.
Under the microscope fiberglass fibers are colorless or clear, as we illustrate later in this article. It is the resin binder used by the manufacturer to stick the fibers together into a batt or a chopped piece of insulation that give fiberglass insulation its characteristic color.
Difference In Properties
Asbestos has a higher heat resistance and tensile strength properties when compared to fiberglass. Fiberglass is more temperature resistant than polyamide and cotton, but it isn't comparable to asbestos in this regard.