sand in loft!?

[ouch!]

Hi all,

The house in question is a 19th century Victorian railway cottage.
There is a 4cm layer of dark grey sand between the joists in the loft.
Could this have been an attempt at insulation?
If not then what?

For improved insulation, please recommend either removing this sand and starting from scratch or insulating over it.

Thanks.

 

[Thermo]

what have you got covering your roof?

 

[Mr Winston]

sand as an insulator cant be very good - its seriously denser than firbre glass - the excesive weight of it cant be good for the ceiling - could it be dirt blown into the loft since day 1 of your house (dont imagine youve got a felt)

If you looking for reducing your heat loss id ship out the sand and try some traditional insulation methods

 

[Jasonb]

Have any exposed timbers been sandblasted, I've come across this a couple of times in old oak framed houses.

Or could it be soot from the steam railway engines.

Jason

 

[ouch!]

Thanks to all for the quick replies.

No exposed beams to speak of.
I don't think it's soot; the stuff has the consistency of fine sand and is not as 'dirty' as soot.
The roof was possibly slate originally but has been tiled within the past five years or so.

I think I can hear an industrial vacuum warming up!