It is often used for gardening and as insulation in older homes.
Asbestos attic insulation uk.
If your insulation is in batt form you shouldn t worry.
There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to attempting to ascertain if you have asbestos attic insulation in your home.
Many people do not know that asbestos is in fact a natural mineral.
Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos.
Used for fireproofing and insulation asbestos was a cheap and effective material that became an industry standard for buildings across the country.
A pellet like material used for gardening there is nothing intrinsically dangerous about vermiculite but sourcing it can be.
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.
Odds are reduced but not completely eliminated if your home was built or renovated after 1990.
If your home was built before 1990 and you have vermiculite insulation or if your house was built prior to 1970 it s likely that you have some form of asbestos in your attic or elsewhere.
However it s worth noting that not all sources of vermiculite pose a hazard.
The main source of asbestos danger as far as insulation is concerned is vermiculite attic insulation.
In its essence vermiculite is pellet like material that expands at high temperatures.
You may have this type of insulation in your attic if your home was built or remodeled prior to 1990.
Asbestos is in general terms flexible and soft but also has great corrosion resistant and heat resistant properties.
The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation.
From the early 1950 s for a period of nearly forty years the construction industry used asbestos as an insulator and fire retardant.
But the vermiculite that was mined years ago was contaminated with an asbestos like material.
If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos.
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.