Asbestos Insulation In The Attic

That is the loose granular insulation called vermiculite.

Asbestos insulation in the attic.

Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed. Asbestos insulation is a very common problem that many people have to deal with at some point. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. 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.

It was used in construction materials including roofing materials asphalt shingles roofing felt adhesives putty caulking and patching materials. If you have damaged insulation you plan to remodel your building or you suspect your insulation may contain asbestos you need to contact an asbestos professional that is. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner.

There are other sources of asbestos in attic insulation but this single source significantly outpaces the others 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. Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine so the vermiculite from libby was contaminated with asbestos. Types of asbestos insulation.

Loose fill insulation is designed to be poured onto attic floors or blown into hollow spaces inside walls and other building structures. Although asbestos is currently banned as an insulating material in many countries buildings that were built before 1980 may still contain insulation with asbestos. With many homes from that era still standing it is no surprise to run into asbestos in some capacity. There is one type of older insulation that has a significant possibility of being contaminated with asbestos.

Concerns about asbestos contaminated vermiculite insulation a mine near libby montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the united states from 1919 to 1990. Other insulation balsam wool is a shredded wood product treated with borax as a fire retardant. 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. Asbestos insulation was widely used as an insulation material in most residential commercial and public buildings constructed between 1920 and 1986.

It s considered a very natural product and does not contain asbestos. There is one primary source of asbestos attic insulation. Loose fill wrap block and spray on.