Asbestos In Residential Attics

These are thin visible fibers.

Asbestos in residential attics.

In homes built prior to 1975 asbestos is most commonly found as thermal insulation on basement boilers and pipes. The white tape you see above is of the type that often contains asbestos although you don t really know without sending a sample to be tested in a lab. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. The epa asbestos web site contains general information on asbestos sources exposure and health effects what to do if you suspect asbestos training and laws and regulations.

Unfortunately it can also be found in a myriad of other household materials including. It was likely brought home from work at a factory or salvaged from some other type of building. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous.

Asbestos is dangerous because it contains what is known as fibrous crystals. Until its international ban in 1979 it was used extensively in both commercial and residential construction. Some contractors have a minimum fee of 1 500 3 000 no matter how small the job is. Asbestos is a set of natural silicate minerals.

He decided to replace the existing insulation with new fiberglass insulation to save money in the winter months. And a complete removal in a 1 500 square foot home with asbestos everywhere walls floors ceilings attic roof pipes could be as high as 20 000 30 000. Removing a 10 foot section of asbestos pipe insulation could be 400 650. 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.

Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. Attic insulation in older homes may contain asbestos that could fall through ceiling cracks. In those rare cases the asbestos containing materials used for insulation were manufactured for some other purpose. Other than vermiculite it s actually quite rare to find thermal insulation in residential attics that contains asbestos.

These fibers are carcinogenic meaning they can cause cancer particularly in the lungs and stomach. Asbestos was incorporated in the insulation of different types including attic insulation.