emandelcorn Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 The insulation in the attic was exposed because of leaking during the winter rains. The date of construction was about 1970 and the brand of the insulation is PREMIUM BRAND High Density BUILDING INSULATION. It is in large batts (cut to 3 or 4 feet in length and 3" thick) with an Indian Head Symbol on them. The actual material inside is dark grey or black in color and looks like cotton in consistency and texture. Do you or anyone reading this article know if this insulation is dangerous in anyway as it has been exposed by the rains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 The insulation in the attic was exposed because of leaking during the winter rains. The date of construction was about 1970 and the brand of the insulation is PREMIUM BRAND High Density BUILDING INSULATION. It is in large batts (cut to 3 or 4 feet in length and 3" thick) with an Indian Head Symbol on them. The actual material inside is dark grey or black in color and looks like cotton in consistency and texture. Do you or anyone reading this article know if this insulation is dangerous in anyway as it has been exposed by the rains. It sounds like rock wool. In the other 49 states it's completely harmless, but in California, I'm sure that it causes cancer, brain damage, and loss of libido. Also, the indian head symbol is demeaning. You should definitely sue someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 No, It's just mineral wool or "rock" wool or "slag" wool as it's called in the trades. It's made from the slag left over after iron is smelted. It's no more dangerous to you than fiberglass. Oh wait, I just noticed, you are in La-La Land. According to the stickers I regularly see on furnaces, fiberglass insulation causes cancer in California so maybe rockwool causes cancer in California too. ASHRAE conducted an extensive study, the results of which were published about a decade ago, and found no evidence that Fiberglass causes cancer. Nevertheless, Californians apparently have a different physiology from the rest of us and it does cause cancer there, so maybe rockwool will cause your arms or legs to fall off. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 "Premium Brand" was owned by Rock Wool Industries. http://historicbldgs.com/asbestos.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Lozier Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 It sounds like rock wool. In the other 49 states it's completely harmless, but in California, I'm sure that it causes cancer, brain damage, and loss of libido. Also, the indian head symbol is demeaning. You should definitely sue someone. **************************************** Jim.... your sense of humor is a breath of fresh air in this PC world, thanks for my daily laugh!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candicedotcom Posted March 12, 2020 Report Share Posted March 12, 2020 We purchased a lake cabin and are starting to renovate the bedrooms. I pulled away a plywood panel to expose black sheets of insulation. After doing some digging - I have settled on the fact that the insulation is rockwool from the 60s (premium brand with the Indian head logo) Each panel of insulation is wrapped in kraft paper but the paper is almost totally black where the insulation meets the interior wall. The other side of the insulation that faces the exterior of the house looks like almost-new, brown, Kraft paper. Is there anyone who can explain why it looks this way? I originally had mold on the brain to explain this - but everything I read says rockwool is resistant to mold. https://www.flickr.com/photos/187433324@N06/49652766368/in/dateposted-public/#. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted March 13, 2020 Report Share Posted March 13, 2020 The black stuff is just a thin coating of bitumen or tar that serves as a vapor retarder. It's there on purpose. The stuff in you pictures looks unusually well preserved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted March 13, 2020 Report Share Posted March 13, 2020 Asphalt coated kraft paper. The coating is on the other side of the paper but some penetrates through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted March 13, 2020 Report Share Posted March 13, 2020 Jim and Bill are right. It really is amazingly good looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikemore Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 I have the same experience as candicedotcom. I’ve been scared of it but can’t find proof of asbestos or other indication that this is a bad product. Candicedotcom, did you keep it in your house or remove it after all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 You just read replies from three experts, all saying that it's just asphalt applied to paper. Brand new insulation has exactly the same thing on it. It's harmless. Why on earth would you remove it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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