Asbestos Attic Insulation Uk

There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to attempting to ascertain if you have asbestos attic insulation in your home.

Asbestos attic insulation uk.

Asbestos is in general terms flexible and soft but also has great corrosion resistant and heat resistant properties. But the vermiculite that was mined years ago was contaminated with an asbestos like material. In older homes asbestos can be found in many things insulation included especially loose fill attic insulation. The main source of asbestos danger as far as insulation is concerned is vermiculite attic insulation.

You may have this type of insulation in your attic if your home was built or remodeled prior to 1990. If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos. Odds are reduced but not completely eliminated if your home was built or renovated after 1990. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation.

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. Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. 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.

From the early 1950 s for a period of nearly forty years the construction industry used asbestos as an insulator and fire retardant. Used for fireproofing and insulation asbestos was a cheap and effective material that became an industry standard for buildings across the country. 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. Many people do not know that asbestos is in fact a natural mineral.

In its essence vermiculite is pellet like material that expands at high temperatures. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. If your insulation is in batt form you shouldn t worry.