Let me add that the house is eighty six years old.
White fluffy stuff in attic.
It s fluffy and speckled white in color.
It is easy to identify by its loose lumpy form and fluffy or granular texture.
Meanwhile black or olive green discoloration will most likely be black mold.
First of all that white fluffy stuff was actually a blown in fiberglass insulation in my opinion.
The fluffy stuff is insulation it slows the movement of heat in both directions effectively keeping the heat were it is.
Ideas on what this.
When the water evaporates a white fluffy structure is left behind.
It appears white or light gray like a coating of unsettled dust.
Cellulose insulation looks like dirty cottony paper pulp.
Or could it be asbestos.
Does this sound like cellulose insulation.
I ve heard that a form of loose blow in asbestos was infrequently used in houses especially during the 30 s and 50 s.
You are also lucky if you have fiberglass that pink cotton candy looking stuff these fortunately are the most likely things you will see in your attic floor besides dust.
Common areas of white mold growth include attic sheathing and crawlspace framing.
So if the air in the attic is hotter than the air beneath the insulation will almost stop the heat from descending into the house keeping it cool in summer.
If it is fluffy white slimy and carries a specific musty odour it s likely white mold.
The attic of my house is filled with a loose blow in insulation.
White mold can be confused with efflorescence a mineral deposit caused by water seepage.
White mold can be found anywhere conditions conducive to mold growth are present.
This growth while harmless can appear very similar to white mold growth.
Closer inspection under good lighting will reveal a fungal growth pattern of spots like tiny mushrooms.
Fiberglass rock wool and cellulose fiber insulation are the most common materials used in blown in projects.
The attic is only 36 high at the peak has a r19 fiberglass and in the summer the temperature up there gets to be 25 degrees hotter that the outside temperature.
Loose fill never has paper or other types of backing like some but not all batt and blanket insulation does.
White mold is usually found in cool and damp areas such as basement walls.
If you determine that your attic or walls have loose fill insulation the next step is to determine what type of material it is as only some types may contain asbestos.
New type of cricket.
However mold doesn t always grow in plain sight which is why it is important to get your home tested for mold as soon as you suspect a problem.
White insulation for example can be installed as either a batt or loose fill.
If you are really lucky you could have cellulose stuff made of old newspapers.
