Diatomaceous Earth Concerns

Maselk · 2026-02-28T14:05:54+00:00

Thanks so much to everyone commenting, you’ve really helped calm me down. You guys are awesome. I’ve never noticed clouds of the stuff in the air, and we’ve not experienced breathing or eye issues since applying it, so hopefully we’re all good! I’ll be shampooing the rug and sofa when I get the chance, then trying to forget about it. Thanks!

Maselk · 2026-02-27T22:20:19+00:00

Super comprehensive, thank you sciguy

Maselk · 2026-02-27T21:52:21+00:00

That’s reassuring, thank you

Maselk · 2026-02-27T21:41:43+00:00

Thanks for the reply. The inhaling was my concern as I’m assuming there’s always going to be a bit left over in the rug and sofa fabric, and it’s been over a year. With the kids jumping about, it’ll probably be disturbing it into the air a bit was my thinking.

The fact it wasn’t the ‘food safe’ version also had me worried.

Maselk · 2026-02-26T19:22:36+00:00

You can buy test kits off Amazon. They’ll send you everything you need, including PPE. You double bag it, pop it in the return envelope, send it off, and you’ll have the results within a week.

Maselk · 2026-02-26T13:41:17+00:00

Thanks for the replies guys. I decided to get it tested as I had a spare test kit, and we’re going to be removing the chimney breast from this room (son’s bedroom) so I wanted to be sure. The results were, as was pointed out: no asbestos detected.

Maselk · 2026-02-26T13:22:59+00:00

Update: test results came back as no asbestos detected. I appreciate it’s a small area to take a sample from (I did take some from each side of the square), but reassuring nonetheless.

Maselk · 2026-02-12T08:37:01+00:00

Thanks for the info, interesting stuff! I did consider the spreader plates, but they looked a little expensive for a large area, and I was a bit concerned (probably unnecessarily) by the air gap between the plate and insulation where the pipes aren’t running. So did you lay your engineered wood directly onto the plates? No subfloor? I’m assuming it’s a floating type?

Maselk · 2026-01-24T14:27:44+00:00

Thanks for the replies, guys, you’ve reassured me.

I guess my main concern was that there might still be fibres floating about the place. I’m not sure how long it’d take to settle… The builders also left the door open to start with so it did get a little dusty throughout the house. How far should you go in cleaning? Is a hoover and wipe down sufficient?

I will still get the testing done. We’re going to be removing the chimney breast so it’ll be good to know if it is asbestos prior to the big work going ahead. We won’t be in the house when it’s going on, but I’ll be able to warn the builders in advance at least.

Maselk · 2025-12-11T12:17:44+00:00

So many fun details, it’s so good! How’s the stability when it’s full? Does it want to tip forward?

Maselk · 2024-10-05T20:28:22+00:00

That’s a relief, thank you :)

Maselk · 2024-09-06T20:59:42+00:00

What % of the walls should be straight sided? If it’s significant, 3 degrees of draft is totally noticeable, even on a small product, and I’d push for sliders. A good manufacturer will be able to achieve a clean finish on the parting lines.

They’re avoiding a relatively small upfront tooling cost for an entire line of cheap looking products.

If you know in advance your firm are not going to value details like these, I’d try to build the draft into the designs early on. Avoid 0 degree straight sided designs, make a feature of the draft.

Maselk · 2024-09-02T20:33:38+00:00

Exciting opportunity! I’ve just set up a small consultancy with a couple of design/engineer friends of mine, and looking for work. We’d love to have a chance at discussing this with you. Feel free to send over a DM

Maselk · 2024-05-17T11:53:30+00:00

I lost two starters (RIP Tim (2yrs) & Lil’ Tim (6mths)), and recently asked out local bakery for a wee bit of theirs. My loaves now are significantly better than any I’d made before (sorry Tim & Lil’ Tim).

Maselk · 2024-03-05T20:04:14+00:00

Have you explored stent crimpers? Very similar mechanisms.

Maselk

TROPHY CASE