ᐅ Health Aspects of Insulation Wool

Hello everyone,

We recently purchased a semi-detached house from the 1930s. At some point, mineral wool insulation was installed between the rafters under the roof. I’m not sure exactly what type of material it is; it could possibly be an old product from the former East Germany. We plan to replace the vapor barrier beneath the insulation and then install new gypsum boards, so any potentially harmful substances should not enter the finished interior spaces.

Still, should the existing insulation be tested more thoroughly and possibly replaced while we’re working on this, or is the installed material safe to leave as is, regardless of its exact composition?

Thank you and best regards

Good day,

mello00 schrieb:

Should the insulation material used still be inspected more closely and replaced if necessary while you’re at it, or is the material installed at that location harmless regardless of what it is?

Did you purchase the semi-detached house on your own or with the assistance of a building expert?

I would generally recommend getting external support before starting renovation work; local experts familiar with construction methods from the GDR era know the building techniques better than anyone else and can therefore provide reliable advice. Of course, it costs some money, but it also gives peace of mind.

Best regards, Bauexperte

Hello construction expert, we had the house inspected by two engineer friends before purchase. Neither of them raised any concerns regarding the overall condition. The insulation material only became apparent during renovation work. One of the engineers sees no problem with the insulation at all. I tend to be cautious about such matters, especially when health is involved.

If necessary, I will get a third opinion from an expert and possibly replace the insulation material, which is not too expensive.