Asbestos In Home Attic Insulation

Vermiculite and hvac installations a dangerous asbestos insulation attic contain vermiculite insulation pressreader the family handyman 2019 attic insulation calgary beyond.

Asbestos in home attic insulation.

Asbestos can be found in the insulation used in walls attics the materials around plumbing and pipes electrical wiring as well as on heating and air conditioning units. Chrysotile and amosite fall into the serpentine asbestos mineral family as opposed to amphibole asbestos. If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand.

You are most likely to find chrysotile or amosite asbestos present in your home. Several years ago asbestos was commonly used in everything from shingles to floor tiles and asbestos insulation was used in many homes that were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Attic insulation in older homes may contain asbestos that could fall through ceiling cracks. The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite.

These are typically used in walls ceilings roofs floors cement sheets and insulation. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. The primary source of asbestos attic insulation is from a specific mine in montana operated for 70 years by the libby company according to the environmental protection agency. Vermiculite is utilized for attic insulation as well as other purposes.

While remodeling the attic of his 1960s home john found piles of brown pebble like insulation. If you do not go into your attic handle or disturb the insulation it is likely that you will not be exposed to asbestos fibers from vermiculite insulation. If your attic or wall insulation is in batt or blanket form whether it s fiberglass cellulose or another material you generally don t have to be concerned about asbestos. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation.

Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. There are many different kinds of wool like insulation that are man made and do not have asbestos but if your attic insulation looks like wool than it is best to be safe and have it tested by a professional. Pictures of attic insulation with asbestos. Asbestos insulation is a very common problem that many people have to deal with at some point.

If you remove or disturb the insulation it is probable that you may inhale some asbestos fibers the degree of health risk depends on how much and how often this occurred.