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What is loose attic insulation made of?
The most common types of materials used for loose-fill insulation include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint.
What is loose fill asbestos?
What is loose-fill asbestos insulation? This is insulation made from raw asbestos that has been crushed into a fine state and installed in roof spaces as ceiling insulation. If disturbed, asbestos fibres can move from the ceiling to other areas of the home, such as walls and sub-floor areas.
How do I know if I have asbestos insulation?
In general, any insulated part of your home could potentially be hosting asbestos-containing material. Therefore, when looking for and trying to identify asbestos insulation, check the areas that are the most vulnerable to heat transfer. That’s where you’ll find insulation material, which may contain asbestos.
How do you remove loose-fill asbestos?
You should use a Class A Licensed Asbestos Removalist for this (they need the more specialised Class A license because this is a friable form of asbestos). For advice on a reputable asbestos removalist, call Airsafe on (02) 9555 9034.
How do I know if my attic insulation has asbestos?
Close inspection can usually indicate whether or not your attic insulation contains asbestos. For instance, if the loose-fill is gray, soft, and lacking a shine, it is most likely made from cellulose containing a high content of the recycled paper and no minerals.
Does loose fill insulation contain asbestos?
However, there are loose-fill wall and attic insulation which can contain asbestos. If you’re insulation is the batt style insulation, as the loose fill insulation has the higher risk as it’s loosely poured into wall or joist cavities. You may also find thousands of loose particles within walls or under attic flooring.
What does loose-fill attic insulation look like?
If you have loose-fill insulation that is gray, soft, and without a shine, it is probably cellulose insulation. Cellulose contains a high percentage of recycled paper and does not contain minerals. In general, it looks like shredded gray paper. Cellulose insulation is a perfectly safe type of insulation that is commonly blown into attics 2.
How do I know if my home has asbestos?
If your home was constructed after their closing date, it reduces the chance of asbestos containing insulation, but there’s still a chance overstock insulation was used a while after closing. Zonolilte is often a silver-gold or gray-brown color, which is another way to identify the insulation particles.