Vermiculite In Attic Insulation

The following photographs show typical vermiculite insulation.

Vermiculite in attic insulation.

If the attic or walls of a house contain vermiculite insulation leave it alone. Vermiculite insulation is a pebble like pour in product and is usually gray brown or silver gold in color. Vermiculite is a very lightweight material which made it a popular choice for thermal insulation from the 1920s to the mid 80s. The trust reimburses homeowners for 55 percent of their removal and reinsulation costs with a maximum payout per owner of 4 125.

Look at the photos on this website and then look at the insulation without disturbing it. It is estimated that as much as 70 percent of the vermiculite containing insulation sold in the u s. Identifying insulation that is made from vermiculite. So if you have vermiculite insulation look into this.

The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. It was used primarily as attic insulation vermiculite was poured between attic joists and wall studs in areas where other types of thermal insulation would be difficult or impossible to install. Do not sweep it or vacuum it up. Most vermiculite attic insulation is zonolite brand insulation and contains asbestos.

The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics. It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990. As a result the occupants and workers are at risk especially if the insulation is disturbed for any reason. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner.

Installing recessed can lights or speakers. According to a 1985 estimate made by the environmental protection agency epa about 940 000 american homes were insulated with zonolite. Common reasons for disturbing attic vermiculite are. Vermiculite insulation was sold in bags to builders and homeowners under the zonolite brand name.

Do not store belongings in the attic. Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed. Founded in 1919 the zonolite company was acquired by w r. That s good news because most zonolite a type of vermiculite insulation falls into that category.

Avoid disturbing the material. Came from the libby montana mines. 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. Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s.

The most popular vermiculite insulation in the united states was sold under the brand name zonolite by w r. Attic rewiring or heating and cooling inmstallations. The zonolite attic insulation trust was established in 2014 to help homeowners with the cost of removing zonolite attic insulation from their homes. Grace company in 1963.