Replies

1. 
   Andy_Engel_ | Sep 12, 2001 07:38pm | #1

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   Could it be a coincidence? There's now a former FHB editor on the masthead there.

   Andy

1. 
   Mongo_ | Sep 13, 2001 07:27pm | #2

   *I guess this shows that even new dogs can be taught old tricks.

1. 
   Andy_Engel_ | Sep 14, 2001 02:21pm | #3

   *<>

1. 
   PatchoguePhil | Sep 16, 2001 05:30am | #4

   *Didn't Bob Vila do an episode of This Old House where cellulose was used?

1. 
   Able_Sashweight | Sep 17, 2001 06:51am | #5

   *What are the health risks of Boric Acid and borates that comprise 20% of cellulose insulation? The EPA's site has an interesting report on the toxicology of Boric Acid, and conclusions about testes atrophy, sterility and fetal damage cause me concern. Not that I'm a fan of microscopic glass fibers.What is a home owner to do?

2. 
   Andy_Engel_ | Sep 17, 2001 03:05pm | #6

   *Enclose the insulation, Able? Neither type is intended as a dietary supplement Andy

3. 
   Mongo_ | Sep 18, 2001 07:00am | #7

   *I needed a laugh after today...thanks!Mongo

4. 
   Andy_Engel_ | Sep 18, 2001 02:24pm | #8

   *Able, I hope that you didn't take my comment personally. If you did, you have my apology. Sometimes, I can't resist cracking wise.Andy

5. 
   Able_Sashweight | Sep 19, 2001 10:36pm | #9

   *I'm disappointed because the cellulose made the pancakes so fluffy (and they kill roaches too!). Alas.The trouble with being an amateur is that whole info isn't laid on a platter. Here the whole tale is that cellulose is simple wood fiber. Pure as snow. Well, except for the 20% fire retardants. Those are "non-toxic". Well, maybe, unless you breath or swallow it, but we don't worry about that because that won't happen. And then you find the occasional story about people getting sick after installing it.Simple cellose fiber seems vastly superior to fiberglass because it fills better, deadens the air circulation, and doesn't degrade into microscopic sharp fibers so similar to asbestos . Add the fire retardants, and we don't know anymore.Mine is a 1920's wood framed, brick veneer house with a wide open attic. Lath and Plaster. There is work to do in the attic that means working there. The attic has finishing potential. In the mean time, it looks promising for light storage. Its gonna get trudged through (or over on walkways), it may infiltrate, and with the really breezy attic ventilation, it may exfiltrate.Pointers wanted.Able

6. 
   Andy_Engel_ | Sep 20, 2001 01:56pm | #10

   *Put down a plywood floor and densepack the cellulose below it. Pack out your ceiling joists if you need the space for more insulation. Or, do the same thing with the roof and gable walls to bring the entire attic into the conditioned envelope. If you do the math, you may be surprised at how little the latter course will add to the thermal surface area of the house. If you have ducts in the attic, it's the way to go for sure. Vent the roof first if you're in that school. Wear a Tyvek suit and a respirator when you're blowing the cellulose. Then, vacuum up the scrap. Andy

7. 
   The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Sep 26, 2001 12:53am | #11

   *And it's not so easy to kill us old birds...so just don't send in the young ones with testes still to test.near the stream,aj

8. 
   Crusty_ | Oct 01, 2001 07:08am | #12

   *Maybe it's not the same, but most of the plants that I work in have powdered hand cleaner in the washroom that is basically borax. ??

9. 
   Able_Sashweight | Oct 07, 2001 06:47am | #13

   *Boric acid (H3BO3) is different from borax (sodium borate, NaB4O7, perhaps hydrated.). Don't know how toxicity differs.

10. 
    paul_spoelhof_ | Oct 11, 2001 03:14pm | #14

    *I need some advice on packing cellulose into the walls of a 1940 wood frame home with brick vener and plaster on sheetrock lath. I read the article in FH:130 and am left with the following questions. Should my target density be be less than 3 lb. per cu. ft., or am I safe packing it in to 4lb.? I also wonder how I will know when I achive the target density, the article refers to mathematically checking the density after packing a test wall... What's the formula/Method? Finally, I plan on blowing the cellulose in from the interior, due to the exterior brick vener, is a fan blower going to provide enough pressure to achieve the density I am after?

2. 
   Steve_Zerby | Oct 11, 2001 03:14pm | #15

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   In the latest issue of This Old House magazine Steve Thomas discovers the blower door test and dense-packed cellulose. Can widespread acceptance be far behind ;-)

   Steve