House Insulation Tips

When It Is Time To Put In New Insulation

Perhaps you have decided that you are tired of your cold and drafty home and you want to do something about it.  If it clearly is time for you to update your home insulation, you should understand as much as you can about the subject matter, especially if you live in an older home.  The main concern for those who are thinking about doing a complete weather proofing of an older home is the possibility of being exposed to asbestos.

The concern stems from the production, years ago, of what was known as vermiculite insulation.  This material had many uses, but was adapted for use as home, attic and pipe insulation.   Approximately 70 percent of the vermiculite that was marketed and sold in the U.S between 1919 and 1990 is from a mine located near Libby, Montana.  There also happened to be an asbestos deposit in that same mine.  Thus, much of the vermiculite was asbestos contaminated.

If you suspect that you might have asbestos insulation in your attic, around an old pipe or anywhere else in your home, you should not jump into a DIY project any time soon.  Call out a few contractors that specialize in asbestos insulation and its removal to see what they advise you to do.

In most cases, you will be instructed to leave the material alone.  It is usually best to leave the asbestos containing material in its place.  The EPA holds that the only time that any potential health risk exists is when the asbestos fibers are released into the air.  Furthermore, not everyone exposed to the fibers will end up showing symptoms of an illness or disease connected to asbestos.

Related diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma are the chief concerns and these might not appear until several years after having been exposed.  If you have any fear that you may have been exposed, contact a doctor immediately.

As mentioned, special contractors generally advise against removal if they deem that the particles are completely intact and that there is little or no risk of them becoming airborne.  In most states, these contractors will have special licenses to deal with asbestos remediation.

If the contractor deems that your asbestos insulation poses a potential health threat, then he or she will begin the process of removal.  There is no need for you to be alarmed.  Their procedures will require that you stay clear of the home during the clearing out and cleaning up phase.  They will take special precautions to seal off the rest of your living space and will remove the asbestos containing insulation in large pieces so as to minimize particle break down.

Remember, this is not a DIY project.  Leave it to the professionals.  You can protect your health and you will make up the expense in the long run by having an updated home insulation job done soon after the asbestos has been removed.