Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Termites or soundproofing??

I know this is primarily for residential DIY'fers, but I was hoping
a commercial contractor might know something about what I ran into a few weeks ago working in a small-town courthouse,
built in the early 60's, here in Texas.
Upon drilling a 3/8" hole in an interior wall (Lathe & plaster), in order to mount some hardware,
a sand-like substance began pouring out---& poured & poured,
eventually filling several trash cans. The stuff was extremely light weight, but had the appearance of brass shavings, each grain about the size of a large grain of sand.

The maintainance guy said he was told it was soundproofing.
Could be, since this was a juror room.

It was pretty evident the entire wall was filled with the stuff.

Y'all ever run into this stuff??

At first, I thought it might be termite deposits, but c'mon!
the entire wall??

Sounds like "lightweight polystyrene beads". Just a guess. What you don't want is for it to be any form of asbestos, but it doesn't sound like it.

Bud

Well, "beads" might suggest tiny round pellets, but these are more like shavings, and since the place was built in the60's,
or even late 50's, polystyrene sounds a bit too modern for that era, but who knows?

I was thinking it might have been added as an improvement later on, but if you think it is original the proper thing to do is send a sample out to be tested.

Actual shavings of some sort is possible as shavings are a waste material that someone might have improvised as an possible insulator. Are they actually metal?
Bud

Could it be vermiculite of some sort? Though thats normally much larger..at least what I've seen for soil amendments. Ground vermiculite? Is it very light for the volume?

It was used as both soundproofing, fireproofing, and insulation...til the asbestos lawsuits started.

Could it be vermiculite of some sort? Though thats normally much larger..at least what I've seen for soil amendments. Ground vermiculite? Is it very light for the volume?

It was used as both soundproofing, fireproofing, and insulation...til the asbestos lawsuits started.

vermiculite is a good bet

this is a decent pichttp://www.thenook.org/archives/tek/pics/vermiculite.jpg

Never heard of vermiculite, but that's the stuff---(the smaller sample in the photo), kind of has the brass or copper color, and is almost, but not quite as light as styrofoam of the same volume. Interesting definition in the dictionary...

Thank you all, I have expanded my knowledge!

Here is another description:

http://www.pws.gov.nt.ca/pdf/publications/ManagementofVermiculiteBrochureWEB.pdf

Bud

Thanks, Bud, this tells me if I do get another job in that bldg, I can point out the potential hazard, and charge more in order to take precautions. Knowledge is power, as they say.

You should at least include a test for asbestos and contingent requirements if there is asbestos present.

Oh sure...I figured out what it was..and everyone else gets credit...what am I ..back in the Navy? LOL..j/k always glad to help.. not like I get a free membership or anything...

I credited you simply by quoting your post. I merely supported your suggestion with a pic so OP could possibly make a determination.


and yes, I will see to it that you receive membership to the DIY forums.

I second the motion, And since I asked the question, I acknowledge Gunguy's first mention of Vermiculite, but nap's picture clinched it.......And ya gotta admit...nap's got a cool avatar.... anybody who is a Gary Larson fan is a fan of mine!

Excellent...I finally won something. Ya know..for a contest site...they don't have many giveaways here...lol

I second the motion, And since I asked the question, I acknowledge Gunguy's first mention of Vermiculite, but nap's picture clinched it.......And ya gotta admit...nap's got a cool avatar.... anybody who is a Gary Larson fan is a fan of mine!


gary larson? Who is that? That was my personal portrait from the Christmas pictures last year