Type of Insulation?

[joe384]

Hi,

I mentioned in another thread that while tracing a cable run I found out the extractor fan in my bathroom is not connected to a hose.

I took the fan off and there is a ton of insulation up there but I managed to find the end of the hose by feeling around.

I'm going to have to break some of it up as it's very dense ( I basically couldn't get my hand through it and had to push it upwards)

What type of insulation is this? Fibreglass? Can I just tear some of it or go in with some scissors (So I can move the hose into position) I put my mask on while I was poking around

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Fibreglass is often either pink or light yellow. If it's streaky brown/buff it's probably Earthwool, if it's green it's likely to be Rockwool. Both are spun mineral wool and have a consistency not unlike very dense candy floss when in roll form. Can be torn by hand or cut with an old handsaw or kitchen breadknife. You are right to wear a mask and gloves (and long sleeves) - the older stuff can be murder to breathe and the fibres in some older types will leave you itching for hours if they contact the skin. If handling a lot of it a shower afterwards is a good idea, too

 

[joe384]

Thankyou I think it is probably Earthwool then. Dense candyfloss is exactly how I would describe it!