 |
 |
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 > > Integrating Culture and Nature > 802.454.1167