Identify Asbestos Attic Insulation

In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with gardening for loosening soil.

Identify asbestos attic insulation. This type of insulation was usually used on steam heating pipes between 1910 and 1980. Do not try to remove insulation that could contain asbestos yourself. Asbestos insulation usually looks like a loose gray material and it is also commonly wrapped around the outside of pipes. Below we will discuss specifics about loose fill insulation which could contain asbestos.

Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. Properties built before the 1990 s may have asbestos in bonding agents insulation or the roof. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. Step 4 have it analyzed.

So how do you identify if your attic insulation contains asbestos. Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. It has a pebble like texture and comes in a variety of colors including gold and brown. 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.

If you re unsure if your insulation contains asbestos play it safe and contact a professional to inspect it. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. It is easy to identify by its loose lumpy form and fluffy or granular texture.

Take a small sample of the insulation and place it into a sealed container. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. Asbestos insulation can also look like a cardboard covering. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures.

The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite. 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. Step 4 positive identification of asbestos can only be obtained using polarizing light microscopy which is only available from a laboratory certified by the environmental protection agency. One of the most common types of insulation that features asbestos is vermiculite insulation picutred above.

There are a number of labs out there that can analyze asbestos for you.