What do you do if you have asbestos insulation?

What do you do if you have asbestos insulation?

In the event you find your insulation contains asbestos, it is best to locate an abatement company that has professional experience in handling asbestos removal, and never disturb the insulation. Although, asbestos removal is expensive, but if left it could cause many health issues for you and/or your family.

Is it safe to buy a house with vermiculite insulation?

As we touched upon, the EPA agrees that vermiculite insulation containing less than one percent of asbestos is safe to be used within a home. This sort of vermiculite insulation typically comes in the form of Zonolite, a common form of insulation that appears as pebble-like substances.

How can I tell if my vermiculite insulation contains asbestos?

How can I tell if my vermiculite insulation contains asbestos? The majority of all vermiculite insulation pro- duced before 1990 used contaminated vermicu- lite from Libby. Asbestos fibers in vermiculite are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Only a trained technician using a microscope can see asbestos fibers.

Is all zonolite contaminated?

Most Zonolite is contaminated with a highly toxic form of asbestos because of where the vermiculite was mined.

Should I worry about asbestos when buying a house?

The bottom line is this: home buyers should be aware of asbestos in the homes they are thinking about buying, but they should not pass on a house because it contains asbestos products. As long as the asbestos is not damaged or is handled by a professional, you should not have to worry about toxic asbestos exposure.

When was vermiculite insulation banned?

1990
Vermiculite Mostly Found in Attics It was mined there for more than 50 years, ending in 1990. The insulation, which was known by the brand name Zonolite, is most often found in residential attics. What made the Libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits.

How do I know if my attic has asbestos insulation?

In general, any insulated part of your home could potentially be hosting asbestos-containing material. Therefore, when looking for and trying to identify asbestos insulation, check the areas that are the most vulnerable to heat transfer. That’s where you’ll find insulation material, which may contain asbestos.

Can attic insulation have asbestos?

Does vermiculite ceilings contain asbestos?

Vermiculite itself has not been shown to be a health problem. However, some vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibres, which can cause problems if inhaled.

What is the best loft for insulation?

Well, in the opinion of many in the trade, the best loft insulation matrial is foil faced Polyisocyanurate boards. These boards have a remarkable 0.017 heat conductivity value which makes it the most efficient material available.

What replaced asbestos in insulation?

Fiberglass does not contain any asbestos and was used as a substitute for asbestos insulation once the health effects of asbestos exposure became apparent in the late 1970’s and into the 1980’s. Fiberglass, unlike asbestos, is considered to be generally safe when properly installed.

Does my insulation contain asbestos?

However, there are loose-fill wall and attic insulation which can contain asbestos. If you’re insulation is the batt style insulation, as the loose fill insulation has the higher risk as it’s loosely poured into wall or joist cavities.

Does your insulation have asbestos?

It’s considered a very natural product and does not contain asbestos. There is one type of older insulation that has a significant possibility of being contaminated with asbestos. That is the loose, granular insulation called vermiculite . See this article on vermiculite and asbestos for more information.