Topic: Foamboard insulation for the chemically sensitive?
WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Hi - We need to put some new insulation in our crawlspace. I am worried about off-gassing, as I am increasingly chemically sensitive these days.
We are thinking of using foamboard and we are looking for one that off-gasses as little as possible.
I know I'm not the only one on here who is chemically sensitive, so I was wondering if by chance anyone has any recommendations either for specific brands or tips on how to proceed?
thank you!
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
(She is NOT A LLMD, however, she understands the kind of toxicity issues faced by many with lyme. She did not have lyme but overcame very serious MCS. She spoke at the 2011 & 2012 annual ILADS conferences.) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Is is best to just not even be around certain substances, of course. Still, some good links for those with MCS, as to certain support methods.
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- A note about "GREEN" building supplies or "GREEN" professionals. That word can be very misleading and, all too often, has nothing at all to do with less toxicity. It's more about energy savings.
Sometimes, it can be about both. Just be sure. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Judie
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posted
I like the book Prescriptions for a Healthy House (I don't do any home improvements without consulting it). It may have some suggestions. There's a whole section on insulation. Looking at my book it mentions Great Stuff, Tiger Foam, Custom Woolen Mills, Eco Wool, Florapan, and Log Home Wool.
There's also one of the author's websites. It says she does a free 15 minute consult.
posted
Just being creative here - the AFM Safecoat company makes a sealant, Hard Seal, that can be applied so whatever material you're covering doesn't outgas. You could call them and discuss and if it sounds right, have it shipped. 619-239-0321.
This company is outstanding for anyone who's chem sensitive, as they have low VOC primer and paint, caulking, sealants, etc.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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lpkayak
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posted
I used to be very chemically sensitive I'm much better now after cleaning my environment
I do still react too many things tobacco smoke perfume but things I can stay away from
last year I use foam board in my house I had to cut holes in the walls to look for mold-we did the whole house before we closed in the hole because we have to hire someone to do that so it wasn't a whole room at any point but each room has some foam in it
I had no reaction I don't know what is brand name is or anything its a light blue
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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WPinVA
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posted
Thank you, thank you! These suggestions are GREAT. And it is always nice to feel understood. : )
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Robin, thank you so much for that info. We need to seal our shower tiles and I wouldn't do it because of off gassing and toxic sealants.
TY TY TY
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
My living space is getting renovated, chem sensitive style - I suppose I oughta say a "Ha" after that comment - it's been challenging. I know a thing or two now about chem sensitive resources and materials. Again, AFM Safecoat is awesome for us!
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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map1131
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posted
Well, I just called the recommended co/owner of flooring and set appt for next Tues.
I told him I'm chemically sensitive and my only choice at this time is bamboo or cork floors. We are on slab, so it must be floating floor.
Now I wonder about the barrier between flooring and concrete? The materials used in that foam/plastic/padding? Oh my!!!
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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lpkayak
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posted
when i moved into my house on a slab the floors were mostly carpet over a subfloor of particle board
after 3 wks we found huge mold under all carpets-most of the particle board had turned to mush
some mold remediators said the slab had"wicked up" moisure to make the mold. later i found out the toilet seal had been leaking for 9 yrs. no $h__!
can you belive it-the past owners knew and recarpeted over wet subfloor.
i am not sure how much was wicked and how much from toilet. i found a product called dri-core. it is 2' squares of particle board with rubber underneath in a pattern that allows evaporation.
i put that down in half the house to see what would happen...i just put scatter rugs over the rest of the slab after painting it with a latex sealer
i did air out one batch of dri-core. the first batch i got had aired out in the warehouse. the paint didnt bother me.
good luck with what you do. i would be afraid do do anything that doesnt allow for evaporation...but maybe the land is different down there. my land is flat and sandy...but of course we get snow 4 feet up the house for long periods too
i might be able to find a link for that stuff...i did try to lay a linoleum in the bath and the mold smell was back in a week...so i thinki am even going to use the dri core in there. you can cover dri core with anything
posted
Pam, I faced a new flooring situation recently and had to go with tile, as it has no smell. We got a good deal with an attractive tile color at a close-out discount. We used Thin-set to set the tile, and a PolyBlend grout and an AFM grout sealer.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Check out Air-Krete. It is quite inert and does not burn. Rock wool is an alternate to review, with roxul being a brand.
Posts: 11 | From connecticut | Registered: Jul 2013
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posted
Murco joint compound is recommended for new drywall installation - not sure whether it could be applied to foamboard - you could contact them to ask.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
We bought formaldehyde-free insulation from Lowe's. Instead of the pink stuff it is white.
We put cork on our lower floor. Plastic sheeting went between the concrete and the cork floor.
Posts: 1687 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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map1131
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Member # 2022
posted
kgg, that what we are doing. We have insulation up in attic, but it is not the recommended thickness. So Sat my husband and a friend are doing our attic and their garage.
I've picked out our cork flooring for the entire first level of our home except master bath. What did you floor person say about cork in MB?
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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kgg
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posted
We put tile in our bathrooms. But since cork is good about water, I don't think it would be bad there. Just use scatter rugs.
Posts: 1687 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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lpkayak
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When will you put the cork down pam? Im trying to remember why they said it wouldnt work for me. I think they said it wears out fast and would break down with wheelchair...but im not sure
Why did you decide not bamboo. Those two were top of mt list but then i decided i couldnt use either-maybe it was money...
Once i lived on tile and hated it. So cold and hard-really bad for my arthritis-i was still going to use it in bath but learned it is porous ...that really surprised me but i didnt want to risk it with former mold problem
Finishing floors will be mybig project this year so i will be interested in how yours goes
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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