Vermiculite In Attic

Photograph below shows coarse grade exfoliated vermiculite.

Vermiculite in attic.

The zonolite attic insulation trust was established in 2014 to help homeowners with the cost of removing zonolite attic insulation from their homes. Vermiculite is just one of many insulation products used in attic insulation. Do not store belongings in the attic. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large coarse pieces nearly an inch long.

The trust reimburses homeowners for 55 percent of their removal and reinsulation costs with a maximum payout per owner of 4 125. In the meantime homeowners should avoid using vermiculite insulated attics as storage space. Children should be kept away from the attic too. Expanded vermiculite is lightweight.

So if you have vermiculite insulation look into this. If work is planned that involves these areas for example installing potlights in a room below the attic send a sample of the vermiculite to a private lab. Do not sweep it or vacuum it up. The expanded vermiculite is a light weight fire resistant and odorless material and has been used in numerous products including insulation for attics and walls.

Common reasons for disturbing attic vermiculite are. Asbestos was found in all of the nearly two dozen samples from libby but little or none was found in the vermiculite from the other four sites. Avoid disturbing the material. Leave the removal of vermiculite to professional asbestos contractors.

Vermiculite is a natural insulation material but it s one that you definitely don t want to have in your attic. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. When this mineral is put in an oven it expands like popcorn. Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed.

As a result the occupants and workers are at risk especially if the insulation is disturbed for any reason. Vermiculite is a granule pebble like pour in loose fill product. If the attic or walls of a house contain vermiculite insulation leave it alone. Concerns about asbestos contaminated vermiculite insulation.

Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s. Vermiculite is a mineral mined from the earth composed of shiny flakes that look like mica. Swayze and his team examined 52 vermiculite samples from the five sites including those from attic insulation horticultural products and commercial packing materials. Most vermiculite attic insulation is zonolite brand insulation and contains asbestos.

The presence of vermiculite is a health hazard and should never be disturbed.