I Have Vermiculite in my Home. Should I Worry?

I Have Vermiculite in my Home. Should I Worry?

If your house was built between 1920 and 1970, there is a small chance that it contains vermiculite insulation. Here is what you need to do if you discover this worrying substance in your walls or attic!

 

Vermiculite began to be employed as an insulation material in the 1920s. It is composed of metal-coloured granules and is most often found in roofs, attics and wall cavities. It was widely used at the time because of its low cost, non-combustibility (it is fire-resistant) and the fact that harmful insect steer clear of it.

Is It Dangerous?

In and of itself, there is no problem with vermiculite. Even so, it may contain amphibolic asbestos, a potentially hazardous substance for humans if breathed in over long periods. That being said, not all vermiculite has asbestos in it, so don’t panic if a building inspector uncovers it in your residence. Only a specialized laboratory can analyze the vermiculite and confirm if it poses a risk or not.

Often, the asbestos-laced vermiculite is known under the name Zonolite Attique Insulation and was produced by the Libby Mine in Montana. These products have not been on the market since 1990, but are still present in approximately 300,000 Canadian homes. 

What to Do if You Find Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite in Your House

Once a firm confirms that there is asbestos in the house you want to buy or sell, you will have to take action. Unfortunately, it is now too late to take advantage of class-action lawsuits against Zonolite. If you are purchasing a property, you can still ask the seller to resolve the issue before you move in or you can renegotiate a lower price.

What Are the Solutions?

You can have the vermiculite removed from your attic or walls and new insulation installed. This type of renovation project can cost between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the size of the area to be decontaminated and re-insulated. Hiring professionals is mandatory as any asbestos-related work requires special handling procedure and safety equipment. Asbestos should not be touched with bare hands! This will be expensive but is essential for your family’s health and a sin qua none precondition for a hassle-free sale or resale. And don’t forget to retest the air quality after the job is done to confirm that there is no trace of asbestos left!

Finding asbestos in your home’s insulation is not a catastrophe. Nowadays, a number of companies specialize in decontamination so occupants can make their home environment healthy again.

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.