I forgot to say that we have stopped using damp-spray cellulose  

because the moisture stays in the building way too long, and have had  

excellent results with dense-pack.

	Jonathan Morse





On Dec 11, 2008, at 8:57 PM, Ben Graham wrote:



> I have found that air movement is best for drying. IE fans or  

> dehumidifiers.

> Seems like they are standard tools for the fast track contractor  

> these days.

>

> Ben Graham

>

>

> On 12/11/08 8:23 PM, "Tim Yandow" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>

>> Can someone explain to me how a Salamander can exacerbate moisture  

>> issues

>> during dry out? Is this a problem with dense pack as well? What  

>> would be a

>> better way to provide heat for drywall and painting after insulation

>> installation than space heaters?

>> Tim Yandow

>>

>>

>>>            The borates seemed to work fine in the cellulose -  

>>> there was no

>>> mold in the it. Moisture had condensed on the back of the

>>> Typar. Too much moisture in the application, extra moisture

>>> introduced by space heaters, interior walls left open too long

>>> meaning to help it dry, winter conditions promoting

>>> condensation, Typar creating issues? Any or all are options,

>>> but no one seems to be able to pinpoint one cause or whether it

>>> was a combination of all. NuWool was the brand and I understand

>>> it is the good stuff. The installation installer has since sold

>>> his business and vanished. The builder was one of the best in

>>> the business. Walls were left open for several months (now one

>>> reputable local installer is saying to close the walls in

>>> within a week). Salamanders were used because no one said not

>>> to. Probably a combination of a number of things except poor

>>> construction. Lots of people chipped in to help fix the

>>> problem, but it still cost the builder. Fortunately the

>>> homeowner was understanding, but until it is established

>>> exactly why it happened it is an experiment I don't intend to

>>> repeat.

>>>

>>>  Bill

>>>

>>>  Robert Riversong wrote:                                  --- On  

>>> Thu,

>>> 12/11/08, William C Badger AIA  wrote:                     

>>> Interesting

>>> material. Has anyone in the group tried it and does anyone locally

>>> install it? We tried damp applied cellulose in a new house a  

>>> couple of

>>> years ago with disastrous results. Black mold grew on the outside  

>>> of the

>>> plywood sheathing and the back side of the Typar house wrap. The  

>>> siding

>>> had to be stripped off and things dried out. A series of unusual

>>> circumstances that created a perfect storm?

>>> The mold on your plywood sheathing may have been encouraged by poor

>>> installation practice or too quick a close-in of the walls, but  

>>> likely

>>> had other contributing factors.                   Kiln-dried  

>>> lumber is

>>> milled at 19% moisture content by weight and it takes a new house  

>>> a full

>>> year to completely dry to a stable level. Modern cellulose  

>>> installation

>>> techniques require very little added water, and the walls should  

>>> always

>>> be left open from 1 to 3 days following application.

>>> Running salamander-type temporary construction heaters only puts  

>>> more

>>> moisture into the indoor environment. Cellulose has been  

>>> successfully

>>> installed in northern climates without a vapor barrier (as long  

>>> as there

>>> is good air sealing), and applying a plastic vapor barrier and  

>>> closing in

>>> the wall before dry-out will almost certainly create a mold problem.

>>>              The brand of cellulose, also, makes a big  

>>> difference. Only

>>> those, like National Fiber, who use EPA-certified fungicides can

>>> guarantee no mold problems.                   If wall plate  

>>> penetrations

>>> in the top and bottom plates are not properly sealed, this could  

>>> create a

>>> significant source of moisture in the wall  

>>> cavities.                   My

>>> guess is that you had a "perfect storm" caused perhaps by poor  

>>> quality

>>> materials, poor installation technique, and inappropriate  

>>> construction

>>> practices. Don't blame the cellulose - there is no better  

>>> insulation on

>>> the market.

>

> Those who give up freedom for safety, deserve neither.

> Benjamin Franklin

> __________________________________________________________

>

> Ben Graham

> www.naturaldesignbuild.us

> Natural building/design services/workshops/consulting

>

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