I'm I inhaling fiberglass from the attic??

[dallasguy]

Hello,
I came back Sunday from a 4 day vacation in Corpus Christi. On Monday and this morning, I woke up with a dry mouth and sore throat and it dawned on me that I hadn't experienced the same while down in Corpus Christi. I actually experience these symptoms regularly especially now in the summer months when I run the AC longer. I have a fine dust that forms on surfaces despite regular cleaning and vacuuming. As it turns out, the vacuum has this fluffy/stringy substance that for a while I dismissed as carpet fibers. Now i'm not so sure.

Please see the pics attached of the fluffy/stringy substance from countertops in the bathroom (not from vacuum so not from carpet). The yellow substance is insulation directly from the attic. The two look different of course but do feel the same to touch. Is this fiberglass that's everywhere in the house?

[CircusEnvy]

Is any part of your duct work made from duct board?

[dallasguy]

Is any part of your duct work made from duct board?

No, all is flexible tubing.

[Saturated Suter]

It appears to be fiberglass insulation. Have a professional inspect your duct work for leaks, tears and/or punctures.

[dallasguy]

It appears to be fiberglass insulation. Have a professional inspect your duct work for leaks, tears and/or punctures.

What would this inspection cost approximately and any recommendations for the Dallas/Plano/Allen area?

[Saturated Suter]

What would this inspection cost approximately and any recommendations for the Dallas/Plano/Allen area?

I don't know the pricing in Dallas and pricing is against our rules. I would think that the inspection could be isolated between the return grill and the first plenum considering it sounds like this is effecting you entire house. Did you find the yellow insulation inside your house or did you gather it from your attic to show us the similarity?

[Saturated Suter]

http://hvac-talk.com/aop/
You can go here to find contractors in your area.

[dallasguy]

You can go here to find contractors in your area.

Thank you sir and yes, I got the yellow insulation directly from the attic. I did notice that it's pretty darn dusty up there.

[catmanacman]

could be mice chewing through the flex

[energy_rater_La]

so you have yellow batt insulation in the attic?

you could have insulation entering the house via
oversized cuts in ceiling hidden by supply grills.

you could have lose insulation that was in the ducts that
is making its way to the supply grills.

you could have duct leakage in the form of gaps allowing
the insulation from the flex to be drawn into the duct system.
or the supply and/or return plenums.

I'd do my own inspection.
ideally no fg insulation would be visible at either start collar
of duct or supply box.
if you do have visible insulation at plenum, then move it back
& see what kind of seal has been made at the duct take off from
the plenum. at best a mastic seal, not as good (IMO) caulk seal,
or no seal, or duct tape (basically the same thing over time duct tape fails).
check plenum to equipment connections to make sure
there are no openings that would allow fg batts from attic floor
to draw in insulation. (both supply & return plenums)
and lastly feel around supply boxes at the attic floor.
if you feel a gap, where you can put the tips of your fingers
between the supply box & the attic floor...you need to mastic seal.

when you get a chance...take a look & let us know what
you find.
these (listed above) are common leakage sites.
flex leaks at one or the other end...unless duct itself is
compromised.
pick them up and shake them if they are lying on the attic floor.
take a quick look to see if there are tears or holes in flex.
with flex you have the visible vapor barrier, then fg insulation
and a inner liner that should keep air inside duct.

snap a few pics & post back.

best of luck

[jtrammel]

I agree with energy rater La.

[Saturated Suter]

If you are going to DIY, please be careful where you step. It is easy to put your foot through the ceiling. You'll have quite a bit of insulation in your house if you do that. Good luck.