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I’ve built many houses over the years. Occasionally, but not often the insulation would be somewhat smelly. However, this time it’s my house and the fuzz smells like cod fish. I’m worried not only about the odor permeating into the living area, but also moisture and mold.
Anyone know about this?????? (P-U)
Skim-coating with joint compound covers texture, renews old drywall and plaster, and leaves smooth surfaces ready to paint.
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Finehomebuilder,
Apparently you haven't been building fine homes.
FredL will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about insulation and then some. Most of what he will tell you will be of little use but he should have fun with you.
Good luck
*Fred, have you heard of open cell foam insulation being sprayed between the wall studs and rafters - kinda seals your house like an ice chest. I saw a demonstration of the stuff at a home show recently and really caught my attention. The stuff seals every nook and cranny and boast a 50% saving's on energy cost. Can provide a contact if needed.
*Razzb,Yes of course I've heard of it, we use the stuff all the time.It slices, it dices, it does it all. No not quiet. No insulation does it all. But we do like it and use it where it works. We use just about every insulation under the sun. If one insulation did it all, there would be only one on the market.What this stuff does do well is seal as well as insulate. You can't have one without the other.Anyways, that isn't this fellow's problem.FredL will set him straight :)
*Ohoho, I'm going to break my rule and tell you I'm really laughing my ass off. Smells like a fish. You're too much. And only ten minutes to figure out a new login. ha ha ah
*sounds like it's time to open up the wall, remove insulation, put a respirator on and spray mold with bleach, wait til dry and slowly wipe down with damp rag, and when dry again spray with ammonia. make your observations and report back.brian
*fhb.. or p-u... whichever... we used a lot of fiberglass insulation.. and some mfr's .. especially some of the yellow ones had distinct mild odor of "fish"...it was not a question of mold or anything , it had something to do with the processing or packaging... ..i never smelled any residual smells after in the house.. but you might not be so lucky...if the insulation was dry..and no sign of mold .. i wouldn't automatically assume it is mold.. ours was, for sure, a chemical smell
*Mr. Fish (fhb)Is the insulation you describe as "smelling like cod" in that condition new in the roll or has it been installed and has changed to that odor?..................Iron Helix
*Thank you Mike
*I don't know about that insulation but I do know that any mixing of chlorine bleach and ammonia is hazardous. It combines to to release chlorine and even worse chloramine gas. Chloramine gas is closely related to the phosgene gas used in WWI. It tears up the lungs and eyes. Every year or so you read about someone dying from this mix. Lets be carful out there.
*A relative of mine died from cleaning her room with ammonia and bleach (related by marriage; don't blame my genes for this one.) Ammonium chloride is i not a good thing.
*Jeezus, relax.Doesn't anyone insulate with fiberglass anymore ?Of course it stinks like fish. Always has and always will. And no, when the house is done, it won't stink like a cod. Let us know what it smells like after the rock is done.
*fhb,the odor is from is from phenolic resins that are used to "stick" the spun glass together to make the fiberglass batts. The smell is reduced with exposure to air..........never have had a call back on a "cod" smelling house, in the midwest at least.............Iron Helix