asbestos insulation Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Charles Buell Consulting LLC

Regardless of the age of a home it is a good idea to wear a respirator when you have to do work in your crawl space. This is especially true of homes built prior to the 1950’s.

Abandoned Ductwork with suspected asbestos paper insulation

In houses built prior to then, duct-work was routinely sealed or insulated with asbestos containing papers/tapes. If the heating system was updated or removed, there is no guarantee that there won’t be asbestos in the dirt throughout the crawl space. All this particulate, as well as hundreds of other types of particulates, can be “kicked up” and become air-borne while wiggling through the crawl space. Some of the other particulates that can become airborne are: dust, dust mites, rodent feces, pesticides, mold/fungal spores, fiberglass etc.

Crawl spaces are great places to “store” all kinds of things that once “out of sight” also become “out of mind.” On a recent inspection I discovered one particular little “out-of-mind-experience” that could end up costing someone a lot of money (if a remediation company is called upon to pick up the pieces). Several sections of asbestos covered duct pipe had been discarded and left in the crawl space. In Washington State (and in some other parts of the country as well), homeowners can obtain permits to remove small amounts of these kinds of materials—complete with instructions for proper removal and personal protection (however the information comes with a strong “discouragement” message.) Further information can be found at the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

These types of improperly discarded materials can be a hazard to anyone entering the crawl space (some of the trades will refuse to enter crawl spaces with visible signs of asbestos and other hazards), but the actual “visible” duct-work might be less dangerous than the dusty-dirt in a crawl space that doesn’t have any actual duct-work left in it. Having these spaces professionally cleaned by a licensed crawl space cleaning company and have them install a proper ground cover can go a long way toward protecting those of us who have to enter them.

This whole post is merely a long winded way of saying: Always wear respiratory protection in crawl spaces! You can just never know what is in the dust you are kicking up.

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Vermiculite insulation is one of those materials, commonly found in the home in the Northwest, that can contain Asbestos—-depending on where it was mined. While the only way to know for sure is to have it tested, that is no longer the “current recommendation.”

Typical vermiculite installation in an attic

According to the EPA: “Currently, there are specific technical issues involving vermiculite sampling that can complicate testing for the presence of asbestos fibers and interpreting the risk from exposure. EPA and ATSDR are not recommending at this time that homeowners have vermiculite attic insulation tested for asbestos. As testing techniques are refined, EPA and ATSDR will provide information to the public on the benefits of testing that produce more definitive and accurate test results.”

In my opinion it is best to assume that all vermiculite contains asbestos. I recommend following EPA recommendations at: EPA Vermiculite Recommendations regarding testing, disposal and personal protection regarding vermiculite insulation. When remodeling involves disturbing of these materials, professional removal is recommended. Having to remove these materials should be anticipated by anyone buying a house with vermiculite insulation.

Vermiculite is most commonly found in attics but was also used in walls. In is often hidden under layers of other types of insulation. Because it flows very easily, if there are holes from the attic into walls it can easily find its way from the attic to the crawl space, basement or even the living space.

While most documented cases of injury due to asbestos in vermiculite seems to involve workers, families of workers and people in close proximity to the mines, I think it is prudent to be careful with the stuff, and let only experienced professionals handle it. If you find this material in your home—-leave it alone—do not disturb it. This is one sleeping bear that should be left sleeping!

Hopefully, the EPA will have more meaningful guidelines for us all soon.

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The Evils that Lurk in Crawl Spaces.

Is there a sleeping bear in your attic?