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Expert Q Ren Molnar Q&A Archive
Top > Insulation > Hazard

Question:

I own a house built in 1956. There is 3/8"drywall on the ceiling then vermiculite insulation then paper backed insulation laid on top.I noticed that when I tore a hole in one there was water on the second layer.I'm going to have the fun this summer of removing all that and blowing in new stuff. No matter how much you beg me I know how much fun this is and you cant help. I want all the fun for myself. The question is,do I cut and seal in strips between the joists or could I put the v.b. on the old ceiling and install 1/2" drywall on top? I'd rather mud and sand than have to crawl around our low slope roof since I'm 6'4".

Answer:

Your problems go beyond what is obvious - vermiculite has proven to be not at all user friendly and should be removed professionally. Your fun may come to abrupt end if you ingest it. When you have the workmen there, they should remove insulation and VB. You can then lay 6mm poly on the ciling below it and cover that with half-inch drywall.


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Answered By: Ren Molnar

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