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Interior Inspections Contains discussions about the interior portion of a home inspection. This includes stairs, walls, floors, ceilings, smoke detectors, etc.

 
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  #1  
Old 3/17/07, 10:55 AM
sspradling sspradling is offline
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Default Cork insulation

Has anyone seen loose fill cork used as insulation in at attic? Yesterday's morining inspection was a 60 year old with what appears to be cork, in pieces from pea sized to almost baseball sized. Having never seen this before, I performed a Neuman test over the bathroom sink, and this stuff is definatley flammable.
I know a picture would help. I'll try that later.
Stu
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  #2  
Old 3/17/07, 11:06 AM
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Jeffrey R. Jonas Jeffrey R. Jonas is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Quote:
Originally Posted by sspradling
I performed a Neuman test over the bathroom sink, and this stuff is definatley flammable. Stu

I Love it !!!!

You just coined a new phrase !!! He should be flattered !!!
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  #3  
Old 3/17/07, 11:21 AM
sspradling sspradling is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

That's the idea. Mayber be wont't dog me for not being able to post a dang picture. But what about the cork?
Stu
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  #4  
Old 3/17/07, 11:28 AM
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Granulated and agglomerated cork as insulation was mostly an industrial product in 40's, 50's, and early 60's.
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  #5  
Old 3/17/07, 11:33 AM
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Article from cork industry group on cork insulation in the home.

http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=11

They also say that cork is almost completely fire resistant. Maybe you're not dealing with cork?
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  #6  
Old 3/17/07, 12:28 PM
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Quote:
Originally Posted by sspradling
Has anyone seen loose fill cork used as insulation in at attic? Yesterday's morining inspection was a 60 year old with what appears to be cork, in pieces from pea sized to almost baseball sized. Having never seen this before, I performed a Neuman test over the bathroom sink, and this stuff is definatley flammable.
I know a picture would help. I'll try that later.
Stu
I believe a true Neuman test would have entailed inhaling.......




Stephen Stanczyk
Washington State Licensed Home Inspector # 221
President, Washington Association of Property Inspectors (WAPI)
(253) 241-0602 calls answered until 10pm


Pierce County -Thurston County - King County - Snohomish County
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  #7  
Old 3/17/07, 7:24 PM
Jae Williams Jae Williams is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk
Article from cork industry group on cork insulation in the home.

http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=11

They also say that cork is almost completely fire resistant. Maybe you're not dealing with cork?
From somewhere within that same URL:

"The manufacturing of cork products for the building industry produces an important waste product, cork powder. This powder is commonly burned to produce steam and/or energy which is used in the factories themselves, given the high energy content of this material."

Obviously, cork is flamable. When I was young we used to burn cork to make a charcoal product for art usage.



"not just an inspection, but an education"

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  #8  
Old 3/18/07, 8:36 AM
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Michael Larson Michael Larson is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Quote:
Originally Posted by sspradling
Has anyone seen loose fill cork used as insulation in at attic? Yesterday's morining inspection was a 60 year old with what appears to be cork, in pieces from pea sized to almost baseball sized. Having never seen this before, I performed a Neuman test over the bathroom sink, and this stuff is definatley flammable.
I know a picture would help. I'll try that later.
Stu
I am posting these pics for Sturart. Does anyone recognize this insulation?

cork-insulation-pb146103-small-.jpg.JPG
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  #9  
Old 3/18/07, 9:21 AM
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Default Re: Cork insulation

I'm not sure wtf a neuman test is

But a true Neumann test would require you to take that insulation back to your office first b4 lighting.... If this were the members only secion I would tell you what I would do with the fumes.
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  #10  
Old 3/18/07, 4:13 PM
Jae Williams Jae Williams is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Tony, I think the "Neuman test" refers to a post you made a few days ago about burning something in a sink to test it.



"not just an inspection, but an education"

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  #11  
Old 3/18/07, 4:53 PM
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Michael Larson Michael Larson is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

What, nobody has an opinion of this stuff?

Let's help Stuart out if you have seen this type of insulation posted in post #8.

It looks odd to me. And I also note the buried K&T
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  #12  
Old 3/18/07, 6:28 PM
sspradling sspradling is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Michael,
Thanks for your help posting the photo. I did note the k&t.
Jae, you are right.
Tony, no offense meant. I'll spell your last name right next time.
Stu
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  #13  
Old 3/18/07, 6:37 PM
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Michael Larson Michael Larson is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Quote:
Originally Posted by sspradling
Michael,
Thanks for your help posting the photo. I did note the k&t.
Jae, you are right.
Tony, no offense meant. I'll spell your last name right next time.
Stu
Your welcome.
Please don't tell Jae he's right too often or he will have to buy a new hat.

Stu,

Did that insulation feel like cork?

It is some strange looking stuff.
From the pics it looks like a mixture of materials.
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  #14  
Old 3/18/07, 6:40 PM
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Brian E. Kelly Brian E. Kelly is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Quote:
Originally Posted by tneumann
I'm not sure wtf a neuman test is

But a true Neumann test would require you to take that insulation back to your office first b4 lighting.... If this were the members only secion I would tell you what I would do with the fumes.
First and foremost, gongrats Tony for a test being named after yewwww. I recall testing a fallen stand of eucalyptus trees once as a youth with bottle rockets.

Michael it looks like cork to me, from here.
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  #15  
Old 3/18/07, 6:47 PM
Jae Williams Jae Williams is offline
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Default Re: Cork insulation

Quote:
Originally Posted by sspradling
Michael,
Thanks for your help posting the photo. I did note the k&t.
Jae, you are right.
Tony, no offense meant. I'll spell your last name right next time.
Stu
Hey, Maude--come look at this...you ain't gonna believe it.

Gotta print this thing out and send it to my mother-in-law (she'll never believe it, neither).



"not just an inspection, but an education"

www.homesweethomecincinnati.com

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb. B. Franklin
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