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#1
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Cat wrecked heating insulation
We live in a small apartment and have a new furnace heater which feeds
the hot air through a simple duct system. The heater is in one of the closets and the ducts are insulated with what looks like some type of soft aluminum foil wrapped around some cushy insulation. In a couple of spots, there is wrapped also some of that soft, fluffy insulation I guess to reinforce the areas where the ducts meet. (Well, you can already see how sophisticated my knowledge is about home improvement.) A few times our cat got into the closet and used the insulation as a scratching post -- so there are some tears in the soft tin foil part. She also pulled apart the soft fluffy insulation where it was used outside of the ducts. Finally, she actually caused an elbow where the dicts meet to come apart so I had to refasten it. My question is, considering that her claws did only minimal damage to the insulation, is there any danger in running the heater? Also, does the soft fluffy insulation pose any kind of threat? I mean is it like asbestos or anything? Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable input! |
#2
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The fiberglass insulation isn't something you want wafting around your air.
When installing it, it's customary to wear a dust mask. Skin contact can cause itching unless it's rinsed off, preferably with cool water. Don't touch your eyes after you've touched the insulation, unless you've washed your hands. Tell the cat to stop behaving like a dog. If you can't train all the humans to keep the closet locked, sprinkle a ****load of cayenne powder all over the heater ducts and on the floor around them. Two or three encounters with that stuff will usually teach the average cat. This could be worse. You could have a dog. Think positive. "Men" wrote in message om... We live in a small apartment and have a new furnace heater which feeds the hot air through a simple duct system. The heater is in one of the closets and the ducts are insulated with what looks like some type of soft aluminum foil wrapped around some cushy insulation. In a couple of spots, there is wrapped also some of that soft, fluffy insulation I guess to reinforce the areas where the ducts meet. (Well, you can already see how sophisticated my knowledge is about home improvement.) A few times our cat got into the closet and used the insulation as a scratching post -- so there are some tears in the soft tin foil part. She also pulled apart the soft fluffy insulation where it was used outside of the ducts. Finally, she actually caused an elbow where the dicts meet to come apart so I had to refasten it. My question is, considering that her claws did only minimal damage to the insulation, is there any danger in running the heater? Also, does the soft fluffy insulation pose any kind of threat? I mean is it like asbestos or anything? Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable input! |
#3
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#4
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Men wrote:
We live in a small apartment and have a new furnace heater which feeds the hot air through a simple duct system. The heater is in one of the closets and the ducts are insulated with what looks like some type of soft aluminum foil wrapped around some cushy insulation. In a couple of spots, there is wrapped also some of that soft, fluffy insulation I guess to reinforce the areas where the ducts meet. (Well, you can already see how sophisticated my knowledge is about home improvement.) A few times our cat got into the closet and used the insulation as a scratching post -- so there are some tears in the soft tin foil part. She also pulled apart the soft fluffy insulation where it was used outside of the ducts. Finally, she actually caused an elbow where the dicts meet to come apart so I had to refasten it. My question is, considering that her claws did only minimal damage to the insulation, is there any danger in running the heater? Also, does the soft fluffy insulation pose any kind of threat? I mean is it like asbestos or anything? Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable input! Without seeing it I would not want to make any comments on the safety of using the system as it is. While it is likely not a safety issue, I can't be sure. You may want a professional to take a look. Also provide the cat with a better and more convenient scratching tool. Mine like the cardboard ones. One likes it flat on the floor and the other wants it attached to something to use it vertical and high enough so he can stretch up to it. You will also want to provide protection to keep the cat away from the damaged area. Keeping the closet door shut might do it. :-) -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math |
#5
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Joseph,
You've lost me here. She has some damaged insulation around her heating ducts which she describes as minimal yet you raise the red flag of danger and suggest calling a heating guy. What danger do you imagine here. She needs to fix the ripped insulation with duct tape and deal with the cat. Calling a pro would be a waste of money unless she has completely mis-stated her problem. Would you call a pro for some cat torn insulation on duct work, yourself? Dave M. |
#7
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-- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math "David Martel" wrote in message link.net... Joseph, You've lost me here. She has some damaged insulation around her heating ducts which she describes as minimal yet you raise the red flag of danger and suggest calling a heating guy. What danger do you imagine here. She needs to fix the ripped insulation with duct tape and deal with the cat. Calling a pro would be a waste of money unless she has completely mis-stated her problem. Would you call a pro for some cat torn insulation on duct work, yourself? Dave M. I only suggested it because from the description I could not be sure it involved only the ducts. "The heater is in one of the closets and the ducts are insulated" While it is not clear, that could mean that some of the problem was on the heater. If there is no damage to insulation on the heater itself (or immediate ducting) then I would agree that there is no need to call in the professions. I tend to be extra careful about interpreting what someone is trying to describe. |
#8
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Its fiberglass a skin ,eye irritant. Use the real aluminum tape for
ducts not " duct" tape. You wont harm the furnace but will loose efficiency. |
#9
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"David Martel" wrote in message link.net... Joseph, You've lost me here. She has some damaged insulation around her heating ducts which she describes as minimal yet you raise the red flag of danger and suggest calling a heating guy. What danger do you imagine here. She needs to fix the ripped insulation with duct tape and deal with the cat. Calling a pro would be a waste of money unless she has completely mis-stated her problem. Would you call a pro for some cat torn insulation on duct work, yourself? Dave M. If someone asks about the nature of fiberglass insulation, would you say they have MORE experience fixing things around the house, or LESS? Perhaps she's a member of the generation that thinks books will explode if you open them, and won't go near the public library or the book display at Home Depot. |
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