Fibreglass frenzy

[La Poste]

How do you deal with it?
I mean when you haveto work in a loft for a couple of weeks crawling around the stuff get up your arms, in your eyes, down your pants, everywhere and itches like hell.
Have you any tips for dealing with this affliction that we all have to share?
Mucho gracias.

 

[Des 56]

You make sure you are more senior than the guy workinh with you and send him up there

I was the vole in the hole, in an extra low attic 2 weeks ago,the itching has nearly stopped mind you

 

[La Poste]

I was the vole in the hole

Good name for it.

 

[Amp David]

I get it done in one session, rather than a bit here and a bit there. White suited with a decent dust mask, have everything I need with me save having to keep climbing the ladder. Plenty of light makes the job a whole lot better too.

 

[La Poste]

I was taught that if you don't disturb it it's ok otherwise there's millions of little glass particles floating in the air.
I wear a mask but it's the skin itching that allways gets me in the end.
It's lethal stuff and should be banned.

 

[sythai]

Been lucky this summer only had a few lofts to go in, nothing too itchy. Always make sure you get and early start, not so bad this time of year though.

But done my share in the past and a few more to come, normally there having to to lay flat out in superman postion face down in the stuff trying to reach out to get a cable to the soffit - great !!

 

[mattyhobbs]

Id go for the white paper suit/dust mask everytime, cheap n stops most of the itching!

 

[La Poste]

Id go for the white paper suit/dust mask everytime, cheap n stops most of the itching!

Good idea. I've ruined loads of tops, it take ages to wash out and just doesn't seem to go away.

 

[rocker]

Bloody stuff I hate it. 'They' say it's going to be a bigger problem than asbestos in 30 or 40 years time. Am I right in saying it's been banned in the states?

I'd say a decent mask is the essential bit. Cover up as much skin as you can, but hey, if it itches it itches; once it's in your lungs theres sod all you can do about it.

I've heard a million remedies like this, but the one that sort-of works for me is go in a hot shower as normal, then before you get out switch it to cold really quickly. It seems to get some of the itch out.

 

[La Poste]

once it's in your lungs theres sod all you can do about it.

It's evil.
It must wreck your lungs.
Funny how you never hear of it as a big health and safety issue.
Too much of a hot potatoe maybe. I wouldn't like to guess how many houses have it although this old guy I know reckons he is going to get his replaced for free by some grant so it maybe that councils are keen to remove it.

 

[Darkwood]

The best tip for this stuff is to time your day so you do it as late as possible, dont rub itch or scratch if you can and take any long sleeve items off when you have finished and when you get home go in the shower and let is wash it off, if you use a sponge or cloth to wipe it off will embed the fibres in the skin and thus itchy night, if you can get to a sink when you exit the loft just run your arms under the water without brushing your hand down or a sponge or cloth this should minimise getting the glass embedded.

 

[La Poste]

And watch what you eat after you come down. I bet it sticks to your hands and your sandwhich and your stomach.
Evil stuff.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

If no aprentice then:

Design it so you can get it all done in minimum trips up,
Mask,
Paper suit (when I have them),
Head torch,
Maybe knee pads,
a little box with all the connections (often wago) and tools in - DONT FORGET THE SLEEVING

And a tub of grime-eeze wipes for my arms and stuff when I get down.




Then straight to the shower when I get home.

 

[La Poste]

Yeah I guess you haveto be disciplined in your washing afterwards.
I made the mistake of going to the pub after and then crashing out when I got home, I didn't shower and now the stuff is everywhere.
Well I'm back up there again today but not for much longer.
Second fixing soon with lovely shiny switches and lights, it's the bit I love the most.

 

[telectrix]

the free stuff you get with a grant is just more of the muck about a foot thick. they put up warning notices not to walk in loft etc. why lose a perfectly good store room for the sake of a few quid off your heating bill. throw it all out and re-insulate with kingspan between the roof rafters. nice loft.