Who has insulation in their basement rafters?

My brick home is 39 years old. It has the insulation from day one in the rafters of my basement. Its the itchy kind with no backing. My basement is not heated and 3 of 4 walls are underground so Its 52* year round so I don't need to heat or cool it but my Englander 28-3500 (in the basement) does heat it to 70 in the winter even tho its piped into the ducts.

My problem is dust. Fine insulation particles fall 24/7 making the dust and its everywhere. Cant keep it clean at all. My parents have the same home setup with no insulation in the basement and its clean as all get out down there. He has a fisher wood furnace into the ducts.

Can I rip it out with no effect on heating or cooling of the upstairs? Just wanted to see what you guys thought.

Thanks!

 

If the stove is in the basement it will heat better. If it's not in the basement you might lose a little heat to the basement thru the floor but I doubt it's much.

 

Here’s a pic

 

My basement has installed walls, I have heat in the basement, it’s set up as a play room. When I am not running the stove, you can really tell the difference. It’s making the floor somewhat radiant floor heat. Floor is nice and warm.

You have a few options it seems. Take down or put something like house wrap.

 

You could put up sheet rock and prevent any of the stuff from the insulation from coming down.

 

I’d take it down.

 

If that's older glass insulation there were some concerns with fibers getting in lungs. Should be covered by wallboard as a barrier to being disturbed and getting in your lungs.
With a heater in the basement, I'd very carefully remove it and clean up.

 

What vintage are you referring to as “older”? Got a year range?

 

I doubt you will notice much of a change at all heat wise...

 

When you touch it you itch for a week lol. That’s how old. 39 years old. I may just yank it down. It’s 2200 sq feet worth so it’s not going to be a day job. Maybe a full weekend.

 

when did they refine the manufacturing process to pass greenguard certifications ?

Supposedly no more formaldehyde VOC type emissions and less irritants.

I have no idea how you would tell a product age with no facing for ID

 

Wear at least a dusk mast and don't wait for hot sweaty weather wearing no shirt.

 

Dust mask n-95 or better and a tyvec suit, eye protection.

 

Take it down and put it in the attic.

 

Sheetrock it or rip it down.

If you've got a stove down there it is a good idea to sheetrock the ceiling over the stove area regardless of what you choose to do.

 

Not sure about the first question... if the product was faced, the facing should be on the heated side, toward the floor... just have to pull a few pieces down to see. I would assume most contractors don’t use faced insulation for this particular application. I was asking about the date as my house was built in 1990... I’m assuming the insulation between the rafters was produced around the same time...

 

YES, YES, YES! That stuff is rough on the lungs!

 

And chewing gum.

 

We have insulation in the ceiling like that in a couple rooms of the basement...and those are the coldest of all the floors (and rooms) upstairs too. (wood furnace in the basement also)