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Posted by Goedjn on June 15, 2006, 12:07 pm
On 14 Jun 2006 17:39:49 -0700, "don't quote me, but......"
>Due to (black) water contamination, and ensuing environmental
>conditions, my house developed an extensive problem of toxic mold
>growth. We finally gutted the place - tore out all the flooring,
>interior wall coverings, even the insulation - right down to the stud
>walls, to give the mold nothing else to grow on. It goes without
>saying that the house has had multiple professional applications of
>fungicides and mildewcides, etc., to kill the stuff. We have done
>everything possible, to kill the beast, and it seems to finally be
>gone. Now I need to install insulation before moving on to restoring
>walls, ceilings, etc. Money is a big consideration at this point, as I
>ran out of insurance ALE's almost a year ago, and have been paying for
>everything from my meagre savings. So, I am now very cost-conscious.
>The up-front cost of sprayed on, expanding foams such as Icynene are
>more than double that of fiberglass. However, the foam fills all gaps
>and cracks, and it claims to be mold inhibiting. Considering the
>battle I've had with mold, it might be worth the extra cost. Has
>anybody had actual experience with:
>
>1) the insulating effectiveness of foam compared to fiberglass
>2) the soundproofing effectiveness of foam (I've been told that
>increasing from 3 to 5 inches depth of foam between floors will greatly
>dampen sound, transmission. That is a BIG plus, as I have a "music"
>loving teenage boy whose band likes to practice at our house!)
>3) whether foam really does inhibit the re-growth of mold
>4) does today's foam insulation break down like the old stuff, or
>remain its integrity?
>
>Thanks very much!
>
>Liz
This is not a good time for cost-driven decision making.
Foam is more expensive, but it's in almost all ways a
better insulation. I suspect that it's mold-inhibiting
properties have more to do with limited air and water
movement and not giving the mold a place to start, rather
than any real mildicide, but the treatment you already
put in should be adequate, anyway, as long as you control
the water in the future.
Exposed foam is a serious fire hazard though, so once
you get it up, get the wall coverings on over it as
soon as possible.
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