Old Attic Insulation 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.

Old attic insulation asbestos.

If your insulation is in batt form you shouldn t worry. 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. See this article on vermiculite and asbestos for more information. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles.

Geological survey vermiculite attic insulation is sometimes found in older homes and is often contaminated with asbestos because of the libby montana mine where it originated. If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos. That is the loose granular insulation called vermiculite. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous.

One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. There is one type of older insulation that has a significant possibility of being contaminated with 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. In older homes asbestos can be found in many things insulation included especially loose fill attic insulation.

In this austin texas home the vermiculite was hiding beneath blown cellulose insulation. Fiberglass and cellulose are the most common insulation installed in residential attics today.