How To Tell If Your Attic Insulation Has Asbestos

Asbestos insulation is a very common problem that many people have to deal with at some point.

How to tell if your attic insulation has 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. In case your home was constructed before 1990 it could have been built using insulation containing asbestos. Asbestos might seem like a problem of the old times but little do most people know that it is still present in a lot of homes across the u s. In case your home was constructed after then it does reduce your chance of containing asbestos in the insulation.

Asbestos insulation was widely used as an insulation material in most residential commercial and public buildings constructed between 1920 and 1986. Also you need to consider if any disturbance of the insulation possibly by a contractor doing work in your attic may result in the fibers being deposited into other areas of your. Check the manufacturer and product name on the insulation label and do a web search to find out if it contains asbestos. Do not try to remove insulation that could contain asbestos yourself.

Tremolite has similarities to asbestos. Loose fill insulation could have asbestos. If you do not go into your attic handle or disturb the insulation it is likely that you will not be exposed to asbestos fibers from vermiculite insulation. There isn t necessarily a surefire way to tell if your insulation has asbestos unless it s labeled or you have an expert take a look.

Consequently if your attic insulation looks like wool you should have a sample tested in order to make sure you are safe within your home. With many homes from that era still standing it is no surprise to run into asbestos in some capacity. 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. It was used in construction materials including roofing materials asphalt shingles roofing felt adhesives putty caulking and patching materials.

Buildings made between the 1940s and the 1980s are very likely to have used asbestos materials. The libby mine was closed in 1990. The date of the building or material can also tell you a lot about asbestos risk. 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.