What To Do When You Suspect Vermiculite Is in Your Insulation

Vermiculite isn’t a bad material by definition. It’s a mineral that’s non-combustible and non-flammable, making it ideal for construction. But if your home or business was built between 1920 and 1990, it could have vermiculite that came from a mine that was contaminated with asbestos. Learn what to do when you suspect vermiculite is in your insulation so you can minimize exposure.

Identify It on Sight

Insulation with vermiculite looks like small gray-brown or silver-gold pebbles. You might see it between joists in the attic and other areas. But don’t worry about inspecting it closely—if you suspect it’s vermiculite, back away gently without disturbing it. If you are having work done in your attic or walls, pause the project immediately.

Isolate the Area

Even if you have not yet officially determined that the substance is vermiculite, keep objects and people away from the suspected site. Don’t store boxes there or let kids play around it. The biggest danger is in shaking the vermiculite and causing it to release fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to respiratory problems and even cancer.

Call for Testing

The Environmental Protection Agency urges you to hire professional asbestos contractors to investigate. They can take a sample of the material safely and arrange for it to be tested and confirmed by an independent laboratory.

Remove if Recommended

Not every asbestos case needs action. Professionals might recommend that you keep the area intact because removing it would be too risky. If a large section of insulation is involved, you might be able to tackle one part of it instead of the entire structure. But, if a contractor says the vermiculite and asbestos have to go, believe them. If the cost causes you to hesitate, ask about your options. At Air Safe Inc., we register cases through the WR Grace ZAI trust, which can offer rebates to homeowners.

Use the Latest Method

You need to remove the vermiculite safely and disposed of it properly, and not all service providers use the same methods. Air Safe Inc. has invested in state-of-the-art, high-velocity vacuum systems with advantages that other local services don’t provide. For instance, we can extract the vermiculite directly to an exterior staging area. That means we won’t even need to carry the material through your home.

If you suddenly find yourself in need of vermiculite insulation removal in Massachusetts, Air Safe has 30 years of experience in the Greater Boston area. If you have any more questions about what to do when you suspect vermiculite is in your insulation, give us a call.