What Does Asbestos Insulation Look Like?

Even if you don’t know much about Asbestos, you know it is dangerous. It is actually deadly! In homes built more than a few years ago, Asbestos may be found in many different materials, from pipes to tile glue. One of the most common materials containing Asbestos fibres is an attic and wall insulation. However, your old insulation is not automatically dangerous. A quick visual inspection can tell you whether or not you should get your insulation tested by Bloomfield, MI Asbestos professionals.

What Does Asbestos Insulation Look Like?

When you’re looking for Asbestos, you are often looking for Vermiculite. Vermiculite loose-fill insulation is one of the most common materials that contain Asbestos. It has a pebble-like appearance and typically is either a greyish-brown or silvery-gold colour. The mineral expands when heated, creating the lightweight and somewhat stony-looking particles that make up the insulation. It is made from a natural mineral material that is mined from the earth coming from a mine near Libby, Montana. The raw vermiculite material taken from the Libby, Montana mine was contaminated with Asbestos and accounts for over 70% of the vermiculite insulation found in U.S. homes. If you recognize this vermiculite insulation in your home, you should treat it as though it contains Asbestos unless you can confirm through testing that it is safe.

If you have loose-fill insulation that is grey, soft, and without shine, it is probably cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation is a type of insulation that is commonly blown into attics and thankfully is perfectly safe. If you have loose-fill insulation that is white and fluffy and has a little shine, it is probably fibreglass fill. Fibreglass can irritate the skin and potentially cause respiratory irritation if breathed in, but it is not known to cause cancer or other significant health problems. Another mineral-based loose-fill insulation is rock wool, which has a fibrous, soft, cottony texture. Like fibreglass, it should be handled with care, but it is not known to contain asbestos or pose any serious health risks.

If your attic or wall insulation is in batt or blanket form, whether it’s fibreglass, cellulose, or another material, you probably don’t need to be worried about Asbestos. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with Asbestos are loose-fill.

What Happens Next?

If you determine that your attic or walls have loose-fill insulation, or recognize Vermiculite, the next step is to determine whether it may contain Asbestos. You will not be able to do this on your own. It is time to bring in an Asbestos professional, like the trained technicians at Clean Cut Abatement.

In the meantime, be sure to avoid disturbing it. Asbestos fibres are most toxic when they are airborne and can be breathed into your lungs. Leaving insulation undisturbed greatly reduces the risk of exposure while you wait for Clean Cut Abatement to remove it. Yet, you cannot put this off forever. Contact us at 1-800-975-1697 and let us know you recognize potentially dangerous attic insulation and need a professional to come out right away. We’ll be there soon!