Had a New window opeining cut out, worried about asbestos?
#1
01-13-10, 03:22 AM
Had a New window opeining cut out, worried about asbestos?
Hey, I just put a post about a nother worry I had today, so maybe it's just my time to worry but we had (just yesterday) a contract put a new window in a wall that was lacking in windows.
The outside had vinyl siding, underneath it was blue foam insulation, and underneath it was some kind of brown fiberboard that was I guess secured to the studs. Flat like particle board (so not old siding). Obviously they cut through this to cut out the rectangle for the window.
What is this material, and does it possibly contain asbestos? I guess the damage has been done, but I'm worried about the health implications of it.
they cut through it not wearing any breathing aids/masks, but I know there are plenty of contractors that don't know or more so don't care.
The outside had vinyl siding, underneath it was blue foam insulation, and underneath it was some kind of brown fiberboard that was I guess secured to the studs. Flat like particle board (so not old siding). Obviously they cut through this to cut out the rectangle for the window.
What is this material, and does it possibly contain asbestos? I guess the damage has been done, but I'm worried about the health implications of it.
they cut through it not wearing any breathing aids/masks, but I know there are plenty of contractors that don't know or more so don't care.
#3
01-13-10, 03:57 AM
Rest easy. It is insulation board impregnated with tar like stuff to make it semi weatherproof. Even if it did contain asbestos, your house is in a positive atmosphere and any particles created went outside. The amount contained in that small a space would not cause health problems unless you ate it.
#4
01-13-10, 04:03 AM
Ok, thank you for your assurance and information. So by positive atmosphere, even with the furnace pulling air in. there's still plenty of dust around and I guess there's going to be for a while. But it sounds like if it contained any it would have been a small amount?
#5
01-13-10, 01:37 PM
Positive atmosphere means you usually put out more in the ductwork than is returned in the return ducts. Ideally they should match in square footage, but they usually don't. While they had the window out, if you had the air handler running, most likely contaminants would stay in the area of the window or be sent out of the window opening by the pressure of the HVAC system.
Small amount, yes. And your air filter would catch the majority of it anyway.
Small amount, yes. And your air filter would catch the majority of it anyway.
#6
01-13-10, 02:04 PM
Ok, that makes me feel a lot better. I have a 7 month old and an 8 year old and I hate the idea of putting any strikes against them in their health. I'm a worry wart (horrible) at times. I don't know why, but I am
Thanks again
Tim
Thanks again
Tim
