Danger of Blown-In Insulation

Blown-In Insulation Definition

• Blown-in insulation refers to a technique of introducing foam or loose fiber insulation into a residential home or commercial space. According to sustainable living website Blue Egg, blown-in insulation may use fiberglass, curing foam or cellulose to fill in the crevices and cracks of a given property. Because material coverage is better when using blown-in insulation as opposed to rolled-in or batt insulation, the blown-in technique is more energy efficient. Only a licensed insulation installation professional can introduce insulation in any residential or commercial space using a blown-in technique.

Older Home Problems

• Prior to medical investigations in the 1970s, home insulation installers used asbestos widely as part of blown-in insulation mixtures. The carcinogenic fiber can pose a health hazard in homes with failing walls or leaky roofs as the fibers can dislodge and enter the air supply undetected. Asbestos also breaks down over time and can dislodge into the air if something, including excessive vibration or foot traffic, disturbs it. Breathing in asbestos can cause severe respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and emphysema. Never touch or disturb asbestos insulation found in a home or commercial property. Only a licensed asbestos abatement team can correctly and safely remove the insulation.

Foam Insect Infestations

• Modern curing foams and hardening gels have no nutritional value when it comes to insects, but that doesn't mean the bugs won't use the compounds to build nests. Insect tunneling through blown-in insulation compounds can reduce the insulation's thickness and resistance to heat flow. This means more heat escapes from the insulation than it retains. As the infestation grows, tunneling may totally compromise the insulation's ability to keep the warm air in and cold out, requiring a homeowner to call both an exterminator and a contractor to install new insulation.

Sun Protection and Fire

• Blown-in foam insulation is vulnerable to damage from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. According to ESP Energy, a contractor applies a layer of acrylic or rubber paint to prevent direct sunlight, though the contractor must be careful to use compatible products. Active solvents in some protective coatings can actually dissolve portions of the insulation. Modern insulation does not burn easily, but when ignited can emit black smoke and toxic gases. This could pose a significant health risk to building residents and surrounding homeowners if a fire should occur.