 |
InspectAPedia® |
InspectAPedia
|
Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair | Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia |
 Mobile ViewINSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT ACOUSTICAL SEALANT CHOICES AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine AIR BYPASS LEAKS AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE AIR SEALING STRATEGIES ANIMAL ALLERGENS ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION ASBESTOS-FREE INSULATION MATERIALS ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS ASBESTOS PHOTO GUIDE to Materials ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Wetting Guidelines ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD ATTIC VENTILATION BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER BASEMENT HEAT LOSS BASEMENT LEAKS, INSPECT FOR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING BATH & KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE BATHROOM VENTILATION BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE Best Interior Finish Practices BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING BLOWN-IN INSULATION BOOKSTORE - INTERIORS BRICK LINED WALLS BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE CACTUS FUNGI / MOLD CAR MOLD CONTAMINATION CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION CARPET PADDING ASBESTOS, MOLD, ODORS CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS CARPET & other STAIN TESTS CARPET TEST PROCEDURE CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION CABINETS & COUNTERTOPS CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION CEILING FINISHES INTERIOR CEILINGS, DROP or SUSPENDED PANEL CEILINGS, PLASTER TYPES CEILINGS, PLASTER, LOOSE HAZARDS CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT buildings COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS CRAWL SPACES CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS CONDENSATION on WINDOWS & SKYLIGHTS DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings ENGINEERED WOOD Flooring ENGINEERED WOOD Products ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY FIBERGLASS INSULATION FIBERGLASS HAZARDS FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOODS IN buildings-mold FLOOR, CERAMIC TILE FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB CHOICES FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB POURED FINISH FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS FLOOR, ENGINEERED WOOD & LAMINATES FLOOR FRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILE FLOOR, KITCHEN & BATH OPTIONS FLOOR, LAMINATE PLASTIC FLOOR RADIANT HEAT Mistakes to Avoid FLOOR, RESILIENT VINYL or CORK FLOOR, STONE, GRANITE, MARBLE, AGGLOMER FLOOR & SUBFLOOR MOLD, HIDDEN FLOOR TYPES & DEFECTS FLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING FRENCH DRAINS FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB GREEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CODES GUIDES GREENHOUSE DESIGN for SOLAR HEATING HEAT LOSS in buildings HEAT LOSS RATE CALCULATIONS HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS HEAT LOSS INDICATORS HEAT LOSS PREVENTION PRIORITIES HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams HEATING SYSTEMS HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-BOILERS HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-FURNACES HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION PROCEDURE HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET ICE DAM PREVENTION INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE INDOOR HOUSE DUST & DEBRIS INSULATION CHOICES INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION AIR SEAL STRATEGIES ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER BASEMENT De-Watering Systems BASEMENT HEAT LOSS Blocked Soffit Intake Vents BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION BLOWN-IN INSULATION BRICK or BLOCK WALL CAVITY INSULATION BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION HOT ROOF DESIGNS: Un-Vented Roof Solutions ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One ENERGY SAVINGS MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS ENERGY STAR PROGRAM ENERGY USE MONITORING FIBERGLASS DUCT, RIGID CONSTRUCTION FIRE PROTECTION FOR FOAM BOARD INSULATION FOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONS FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS HIGH MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be Inspect Attics for Moisture or Mold Inspect Attics for Blocked Soffit Intake Vents Inspect Basements for Moisture or Mold Inspect Building Exterior - Roof Venting Inspect the Ridge Vent System from the Attic Inspect the Soffit Vent System from the Attic Insects & Foam Insulation Insulation Air & Heat Leaks INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM INSULATION CHOICES INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE INSULATION PLACEMENT in buildings INSULATION R-Values & Properties LOG HOME WALL INSULATION VALUES MOISTURE in BUILDING WALLS, EFFECTS MOISTURE in CELLULOSE INSULATION Mold in Fiberglass Insulation Mold on Books, Book Conservation Mold on Fiberboard Insulating Sheathing MOLD in Foam Insulation MOLD in INSULATION Mold Resistance of Foam Insulation MOLD PREVENTION AFTER FLOODING MOLD RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION PASCAL CALCULATIONS PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD PHENOLIC FOAM INSULATION POLYISOCYANURATE FOAM INSULATION POLYISOCYANURATE FOAM BELOW SLABS POLYSTYRENE FOAM INSULATION RADIANT BARRIERS REFLECTIVE INSULATION RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS ROOF VENTING NEEDED? ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS SLAB INSULATION LOCATION SLAB INSULATION LOCATION & EXTENT SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR SLATE THERMAL MASS for SOLAR HEAT STORAGE SOUND CONTROL in buildings STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION SUPER HI-R INSULATION SUPERINSULATION RETROFIT Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation UFFI URETHANE FOAM Deterioration, Outgassing VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING VERMICULITE INSULATION INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT INSULATION MOLD Mold in Fiberglass Insulation Mold on Books, Book Conservation Mold on Fiberboard Insulating Sheathing MOLD PREVENTION AFTER FLOODING MOLD RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION Mold in Foam Insulation Moldy insulation may look clean Why does mold grow in fiberglass? When to test insulation for mold How to Test for Mold in Insulation References, Fiberglass Hazards Vacuuming exposed insulation INSULATION R-Values & Properties LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION LEED Building Designation & IAQ LOG HOME GUIDE LOG HOME WALL INSULATION VALUES MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS MOLD in FOAM INSULATION, RESISTANCE MOLD INFORMATION CENTER Nanomaterials Hazards NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE NOISE, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR NOISE, DUCT VIBRATION DAMPENERS NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS NOISE CONTROL for FLOORS NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING NOISE CONTROL for ROOFS NOISES COMING FROM WATER HEATER ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS PLASTER & BEAVERBOARD & DRYWALL PLASTER BULGES & PILLOWS PLASTER LATH, METAL PLASTER, LOOSE FALL HAZARDS PLASTER TYPE IDENTIFICATION PLASTER VENEER Best Practices PASCAL CALCULATIONS RADIANT BARRIERS RADIANT HEAT RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid RADIANT HEAT TEMPERATURES RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES REFLECTIVE INSULATION RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS ROOF VENTING NEEDED? ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES ROT, TIMBER FRAME SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS SEARS KIT HOUSES SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS SOUND CONTROL in buildings STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STONE CLEANING METHODS STONE VENEER WALLS STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION STUCCO PAINT FAILURES SUMP PUMPS GUIDE SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS THERMAL MASS in buildings THERMAL TRACKING Indicates Heat Loss THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS VENTILATION in buildings VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES WALL FINISHES INTERIOR WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING WATER ENTRY in buildings WINDOWS & DOORS WINTERIZE A BUILDING WOOD Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves More Information |
Mold resistance of foam insulation products: this document provides information about the cause, detection, and hazards of mold growth in foam insulating materials in comparison with fiberglass insulation in residential and light-commercial buildings. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.This website discusses health hazards associated with mold in buildings. Because no amount of insulation can keep a drafty building warm, also review ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES. Also see HEAT LOSS INDICATORS (where is the building losing heat during the heating season, or gaining un-wanted heat during the cooling season), and see HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION for a guide to calculating heat loss (or gain) rates for buildings and building insulation. Readers should also see Icynene Foam Spray Insulation which assists in visual identification of foam spray insulation products, and Foam Insulation Types - Visual Id which provides simple definitive tests anyone can perform to distinguish among UFFI, Icynene, and Latex foam insulation products. Also see Mold in Fiberglass Insulation. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. What are the Comparable Risks of Mold Growth in Foam Insulation vs. in Fiberglass Building Insulation?The following opinions about mold risk associated with different types of insulating products in buildings are based on 30 years of field investigation experience and 20 years of forensic laboratory experience and the results appear intuitive, unambiguous, and compelling. However I add that controlled authoritative research on this question has not been completed and additional factors may be involved. The author has no financial nor any other relationship with products or services discussed at this website. Lower Mold Risk Seen with Solid Insulation Products than with Open Products such as FiberglassIn general, we find fiberglass a ready mold harbor and we do not find mold in foam insulation products such as spray-on Icynene foam insulation or in foam insulating boards. Closed cell foam insulation does not pick up moisture nor organic dust so it is less friendly to mold growth within itself. Mold growth resistance of Icynene foam insulation: quoting from Icynene Inc.:
Closed cell foams keep out moisture and may be chemically resistant to moldIf we expose any closed cell foam to the same conditions, because moisture and particles do not enter its interior, it is resistant to becoming a mold reservoir itself. It is possible that the chemistry of some foam insulations is also mold-resistant, just as I’ve observed that blown-in cellulose insulation is mold resistant, probably because of the chemistry of the fire retardant with which it is treated. Open celled insulation products and fiberglass appear more friendly to mold growthIf we expose fiberglass to water, leaks, or high moisture there is a risk of mold growth within the insulation itself as well as on surfaces of the cavity where it resides. The level of risk of mold in fiberglass depends on many factors such as the age of the insulation, the amount of organic dust and debris in its environment, the level of moisture to which it is exposed, and other variables. Other sources of mold resistance with foam insulating productsWe speculate that there may be a further mold resistance when using a spray-in foam insulation product insofar as the foam forms a tight bond between the foam and the sprayed-on surface such as the sides of rafters or wall studs or floor joists and the underside of roof, wall, or floor sheathing. This tightness may resist moisture passage into the building cavity and thus substantially reduce the chances of mold growth on wood or other organic surfaces in those areas. Finally, the installation of an insulation product which is less leaky around wall penetrations, such as receptacles, switches, light fixtures, windows, doors, will move less air through the building cavities and thus would be expected to move less moisture through those spaces, also reducing the probability of a mold problem therein. What Mold, Rot,or Damage Concerns Occur When Using Foam Insulation In buildings?Closed building cavities may be at risk of rot or mold from external leaksThere is one fly in the ointment of this insulation mold balm, however. In some locations, perhaps such as a cathedral ceiling, a leak from the building exterior that penetrates the cavity will send water in to a location where it is both hard to detect and slow to dry out. The result can be severe rot and structural damage where undetected leaks into the building envelope occur. We ’ve seen this in particular in some of the “hot roof” designs on newer homes. Mold risk is higher on EIFS or Synthetic Stucco Covered buildingsWe’ve seen this trapped-moisture problem along with mold problems in extreme where a different foam insulation approach was used: the construction of synthetic stucco building exteriors (EIFS). In this last example, leaks at wall penetrations of synthetic-stucco-covered buildings (using the EIFS system) send water behind foam panels on the building exterior. Watch out: Water in the building cavities is very slow to dry out, hard to detect, and can lead to major building damage and mold cleanup costs. The EIFS system requires virtually perfect workmanship and installation detailing – a requirement that is unrealistic in most construction environments. EIFS/synthetic stucco covered buildings is certainly different from an Icynene foam insulated building because the former is installed on a building exterior, forming a water-tight (but leaky) skin over conventional wall cavities which may be insulated with fiberglass, while the latter, Icynene foam, is used to fill those same wall cavities. Mold growth found on surface of solid foam insulating boardsOn occasion we've found black mold, usually a member of the Cladosporium sp. family growing on the surface of Styrofoam ™ insulating boards. Without more research we don't know if this growth was due to organic dust and debris on the insulating foam board surface, or if there were other causal factors. Summary of Mold and Rot Risks for Fiberglass vs. Solid Foam Insulating ProductsIn sum, we would project lower risk of in-building-cavity building mold problems in buildings where Icynene foam installation is installed than in buildings of the same design where fiberglass insulation is used in the same cavities, but I’d warn that exterior leaks into the building create different but potentially significant damage and mold or rot risks in all cases. We welcome comment, criticism, feedback from readers or from product manufacturers on this matter. As an independent building failures researcher/writer, the author has no economic nor other relation with these products, and remains vitally interested in accurate, informed data.
Questions & Answers regarding this articleQuestions & answers about the level of mold resistance of foam building insulation products. Ask a Question or Search InspectAPediaHTML Comment Box is loading comments...
Recommend / Share this Article
... Technical Reviewers & References
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. INSULATION MOLD
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
|
| Home | About Us | Accuracy | Contact Us | Content Use Policy | Printing Tips | Privacy | Website Description | © 2012 Copyright InspectAPedia.com |