Dave Hoh's Home Comfort & Energy Experts Case Studies: Attic Rodents & Contaminated Insulation in West Windsor, NJ
Challenge
Musky smells can be signs of contaminated insulation. This homeowner’s attic insulation in West Windsor, NJ was contaminated causing odors and poor indoor air quality. When pulling up the fiberglass insulation our team found evidence of rodent excrement and urine. Rodents will nest in fiberglass insulation, become territorial by marking its territory with urine and release excrement in the attic like a bathroom. Also the owner’s moisture issues in the attic are helping to contribute to the strong musky odors, almost heightening the smell of the rodent urine and exasperating the poor indoor air quality. This attic was not air sealed which means we have rodent urine, rodent excrement, moisture (possibly mold) and fiberglass particulates circulating the attic. Contaminated air is now circulating around the attic, into the air ducts and passing through into the conditioned rooms.
Solution
After treating the moisture issues and ventilating the attic properly, our team removed the contaminated fiberglass insulation and air sealed the attic. We complete the attic insulation by blowing-in TruSoft cellulose insulation. TruSoft is fire retardant made of borate, a natural element in the earth used in eyewash and contact lens solution. An added benefit of using borate is that borate is a natural mold, rodent and insect inhibitor which means it will deter pests from the insulation and they will not use it to make their homes out of. This homeowner now has healthy, quality air, and an energy efficient home.
Project Summary
Products Used: TruSoft Cellulose Insulation & ZypFoam Sealant
