I have recently agreed to help my girlfriend remodel an old house in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The house was built in 1912, and is structurally very sound.
I have no problems with almost all of the renovations, except one.
in accessing the space between the ceiling and the roof (farm house vaulted style ceiling) I am pelted with small square… well.. stones. I am assuming that as the old roof was ship-lap, the process of removing old shingles (before my time) sent the grains from the shingles into the space between the roof and the th ceiling, hence when I make a hole, they rain down on me.
Am i to assume I am correct, or is there another possibility that I am unaware of before I rip down the ceiling?
Thanks in advance for your help, I will check often to answer any questions.
Replies
Thems be the seeds for prairie oysters.
I have no idea really but maybe someone will come along and have an answer.
one canadian to another.......welcome
Petrified guano good for the garden
"I'm not responsible for my actions."
I found glass beads about the size of coarse sand in the rock wool in my attic. Apparently they formed when the molten rock was spun, before glass provided better quality control.
Doesn't sound like what you have (not square), but maybe this will bump you again.
Can you post pictures and size reference?
Probably Vermiculite or perlite...bad news is SOME once had some asbestos in it..wear a mask. I am not joking.
Really, I am NOT joking.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
it is square in shape, about 1/8". almost looks likes cat litter.... multiple colors per grain... very hard, and very dry....
sound like what you are talking about?
Brendon F.4th yr Carpenters ApprenticeMiddle of nowhere
I checked images of both of your suggestions on google, it does not look like either, it looks much more like glass with .... color grains?
make sense?Brendon F.4th yr Carpenters ApprenticeMiddle of nowhere
post a picture if you can"it aint the work I mind,
It's the feeling of falling further behind."Bozini Latinihttp://www.ingrainedwoodworking.com
I will as soon as my girlfriend returns home with one.
Thanks very much guys.Brendon F.4th yr Carpenters ApprenticeMiddle of nowhere"I get paid by the hour, I can do it again"
Sounds like vermiculite, perlite is a garden additive and more 'fluffy'. As I said, SOME issues were found with Asbestos in SOME Vermiculite.
To be certain beyond a doubt, have it tested.
Still, wear a mask, dampen any that may become airborne from disturbing it.
Keep kids away, etc.
Google "vermiculite containing asbestos " Ok, I did, here is a link that may help.
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/vermiculite.html
Many more links for reading using those key words.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
An average paper mask or filter does not keep asbestos fibers out. That's why those hazmat guys get the big bucks.
True that, but I didn't also want to contribute to his death by anxiety...ya know what I mean?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
Except for it being hard, it soundeda lot like Zonolite. I'm curious what it is now. There was a program on public TV recently about the Libby MT vermiculite mine and the attempts by the townspeople to get the place cleaned up via Superfund money and how the Rep. Governor stonewalled the designation. A WR Grace offical came to answer questions. Talk about sending a sacrificial lamb...he looked clueless, but guilty.
There's enough stuff out there that it could be, but better safe than dead is my motto.
I know you have vast exp. in many fronts on this subject, I relinquish the reins to thou.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
lol, thanks.
I will be careful, I have worked in asbestos (loose fill) before, and have the gear.
Will post pic in about 1 hr from now.
thanks.
Brendon F.4th yr Carpenters ApprenticeMiddle of nowhere"I get paid by the hour, I can do it again"
I'll look in in the A.M. Hittin the sack.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
I agree with Sphere--vermiculite or similar granular insulation. The grains do look like shiny cat litter and light weight. One house we had to go up into the attic had it--we also remodeled a couple baths and every hole we cut into the ceiling caused a rain of that stuff. Recently put a ceiling fan in an old house--same thing. It will also get ground into floors and scratch them (nice oak floors). I kept sweeping it up because the guy I worked with would just walk on it and grind it in. He stood on the bed to work--did cover most of the bed with a drop cloth first.
Does it look like this?:
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/insulation.html