Asbestos Attic Insulation Uk

In older homes asbestos can be found in many things insulation included especially loose fill attic insulation.

Asbestos attic insulation uk. If your insulation is in batt form you shouldn t worry. But the vermiculite that was mined years ago was contaminated with an asbestos like material. 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. 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. If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos. From the early 1950 s for a period of nearly forty years the construction industry used asbestos as an insulator and fire retardant. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation.

The main source of asbestos danger as far as insulation is concerned is vermiculite attic insulation. 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. There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to attempting to ascertain if you have asbestos attic insulation in your home. You may have this type of insulation in your attic if your home was built or remodeled prior to 1990.

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. Asbestos is in general terms flexible and soft but also has great corrosion resistant and heat resistant properties. 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.

However it s worth noting that not all sources of vermiculite pose a hazard. Used for fireproofing and insulation asbestos was a cheap and effective material that became an industry standard for buildings across the country. It is often used for gardening and as insulation in older homes.