Basalt wool under the parquet - how do I handle it?

  • Erstellt am 2021-10-30 11:09:24

Black||

2021-10-30 11:09:24
  • #1
Dear forum,

thank you in advance for your assessment!
About eight years ago, we completely renovated a beautiful house (built in 1962) in a small town. The house was more than a stroke of luck; we were already impressed during the first viewing by the structure, the location, the huge plot of land, and the beautiful old oak parquet flooring that was installed throughout the whole house (including the kitchen). The renovation went well; we ourselves come from the region and had many advisors, whether in our circle of friends or family, who supported us.
Even back then, I kept an eye on hazardous materials, understandable given the year the house was built. Of course, the usual suspects were found (e.g., Eternit on the lean-to roof); the respective specialist companies removed these properly. However, there was one thing I ignored, but it hasn’t quite left my mind; otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.
The parquet is laid on battens, and under these battens is basalt wool. I know this because I still have the invoice from 1962; basalt wool is explicitly mentioned there. I spoke with my parquet installer when he replaced some slats—he just looked at me completely incredulous: That’s just Rockwool, what’s the problem? We wanted to keep the floors, so the wool is still there where it has been for 60 years. Of course, the floor is anything but airtight. During the winter months, gaps open due to the heating period, so dust certainly escapes; that much is certain. A proper risk assessment is difficult for me. I, of course, know about the KMF issue, but I don’t know whether the problem justifies a subsequent disposal. Fixing the problem would mean removing 140 sqm of parquet during an ongoing daily life with family and children under safe conditions—a thought that naturally does not please me.
I would be happy if an experienced parquet installer could give me an assessment; I fear that should be daily business. Any assessment brings us closer to a solution.

Thank you and have a nice weekend
 

Benutzer200

2021-10-30 11:34:03
  • #2
What kind of basalt wool (= 08/15 stone wool) is it? Made of continuous fibers? Chemically treated?

Property. Stone wool is not harmful to health. You (and anyone else) can only rule out KMF after an analysis. Not present in modern stone wool.

Finally, the question of what health problems have occurred in the last eight years or what happened with the previous owners?


More or less everyone will say that (rightly so).
 

Black||

2021-10-30 11:51:07
  • #3
Hello and thank you very much for your feedback,

I have no further information about the wool itself, only the old invoice from 1962 with the reference to the basalt wool. I have also seen the material; it is really "basalt grey." I am afraid all these old insulation materials are classified as KMF, as there is no exception if the material was produced before 2000.
I spoke on the phone with the largest manufacturer, Rockwool. They are very well trained regarding the issue. They could also say that, at least in the absolute normal case, there was no substitution with asbestos in the stone wool – because both materials fundamentally have the same properties (non-combustible, insulating).
I don’t know if the material was chemically treated in any way. I would also be less concerned about outgassing of chemical substances after 60 years of use. So, I am really concerned about fiber exposure.
No, there are no health problems with us, neither with the children nor with us. I am certainly rather risk-averse; the craftsmen, including those in my family, always looked at me a bit strangely when I offered them FFP3 masks (back then still exotic, I was probably the only one who still had some at the beginning of the pandemic due to the renovation at that time). The children of the previous owners are also all healthy in their seventies, which should be considered at least positive :)

Best regards
 

Benutzer200

2021-10-30 12:53:21
  • #4
Today, at least the prevailing opinion and practical approach to such "legacy issues" is as follows: if properly installed, simply leave them undisturbed. Fibers do not just detach on their own.
 

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