Insulation?

[fureelz]

I have fiberglass insulation (pink stuff) against a cement wall and was just trying to get input on taking it down or not.. The only positive I can think of is obviously in the winter time. The Farm is at 72*F and 50% humidity, should I mess with it? I can get pictures up too if anyone wants to see. Thanks in advance for the help.

fureelz Reviewed by fureelz on 09-27-2008. Insulation? I have fiberglass insulation (pink stuff) against a cement wall and was just trying to get input on taking it down or not.. The only positive I can think of is obviously in the winter time. The Farm is at 72*F and 50% humidity, should I mess with it? I can get pictures up too if anyone wants to see. Thanks in advance for the help. Rating: 5

[Rusty Trichome]

If that's the average temp, I would worry more about keeping the pots off of the cold concrete. That pink insulation isn't fireproof, and catches fire quite easily. If you do decide to use it...I would be real careful around the lights and heater. (if you use one)

[fureelz]

Its easy to take off, my main concern isn't temp, it's if that insulation is hazardous to my children? If I remove it I bet it would drop the temp a degree or two but not much...easily fixable. And should I raise the temp?

[Rusty Trichome]

What are the temps while the growlights are on? That will help determine your future actions.
Keeping them between 75 and 85 is optimal, but can be fudged in either direction by a few degrees. Keeping them off of the bare concrete is important, tho. They prefer warm feet.

Is the insulation getting old and friable? (does it break-off from the insulation, and float around the room when the fans are on?) If so, you might want to remove it. If not, just keep the heat, fans and electronics away from it and you should be fine.

I've used spray paint to encapsulate (trap the fibers with paint) exposed fiberglass before, too. That might be an option that's acceptable to you. :jointsmile:
(I used to be an industrial hygienist, monitoring asbestos abatement workers...epoxy spray paints are one method of encapsulating small fibers...the other being spray glues...)

[Mississippi Steve]

I have fiberglass insulation (pink stuff) against a cement wall and was just trying to get input on taking it down or not.. The only positive I can think of is obviously in the winter time. The Farm is at 72*F and 50% humidity, should I mess with it? I can get pictures up too if anyone wants to see. Thanks in advance for the help.

If you *HAVE* to use fiberglass, then frame it in and cover it with foam board. The local Lowes here carries "R Max" R-Matte Plus 3" with foil backing in one side. This will give you a couple of advantages... first it will encapsulate the fiberglass so you won't have the loose glass fibers floating around for you to breathe, as well as the foil facing will reflect the heat and light back into the room. My grow room is nothing more that a box framed with 2x2 furring strips, and foam board. Its very effective, and inexpensive.

BTW... you can use aluminium tape to seal the seams and any holes in the foil facing

[fureelz]

What are the temps while the growlights are on? That will help determine your future actions.
Keeping them between 75 and 85 is optimal, but can be fudged in either direction by a few degrees. Keeping them off of the bare concrete is important, tho. They prefer warm feet.

Is the insulation getting old and friable? (does it break-off from the insulation, and float around the room when the fans are on?)

I would say 77 with everything on, and 72 off, but the room isn't completely sealed yet. As far as flooring goes, its black plastic covering dirt; not cement.

Insulation is still sound but it is kind of bulky and makes it hard to manuever when visiting. The fan grill has little white fibers which I would assume are from the insulation. You agree that white plastic would be a win win?

[fureelz]

Oops I mean't to tell you my future actions. I want to get black/white plastic and just cover that cement/insulation wall with it. That way I can get some reflection and cover that insulation without airborne fibers.