Hi All
Don has mentioned several times about vermiculite insulation and the potential issues (now and future) with it.
I was recently at a meeting and Pinchin Environmental (Toronto) gave a presentation regarding what they are finding out there in the field regarding vermiculite insulation. Here`s some of their findings:
- Of the 800 samples of homes in GTA with vermiculite that were tested from
Pinchin`s labs, 70% had asbestos and 30% did not. The ones with asbestos
are all mined from Libby, Montana branded as "Zonolite" and are generally
smaller, while the ones without asbestos were mined from South Africa,
branded as "Micafil"
- If vermiculite is found and is a concern from the client, they can have it
tested for $100 for 5 day turnaround, or $200 for 24 hour turnaround at
Pinchin
- They would need to gather 3 samples in different sections of the
vermiculite at the lower portions (as asbestos settles to the bottom)
- The cost for remediation is anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000, and possibly
even more if vermiculite had fallen into wall spaces (e.g. in balloon
framing)
- Vermiculite was more extensively used in the interior of masonry blocks
than for attics
- Does not need to be removed if it is undisturbed ( so far)
- Ministry of Labour requires that any demolition where asbestos is present,
the asbestos must be first properly removed by qualified asbestos abatement
contractors before demolition begins. This would apply to all types of
material with asbestos in it (vermiculite, vent insulation, drywall
compound, flooring, ceiling tiles). However, this is not a common practice,
and is not usually enforced.
A couple of other things to keep in mind:
-We (home inspectors) are starting to hear rumblings that some insurance companies are starting to
question vermiculite insulation. When we find vermiculite during the inspection we tell the client that
they need to discuss this with their insurance company and confirm with them what, if any, action is required.
- When we are doing a pre-listing inspection ( inspecting the home before it goes on the market) and vermiculite
is found, some agents and/or sellers will be pro-active and have a sample tested to confirm if any asbestos
is present.
For those that don`t know what it looks like here`s a link: vermiculite
Here`s what CMHC says about it: (scroll way down) CMHC
And what Health Canada says: Health Canada
I don`t want to "freak" anybody out, but I think everybody should be aware of the potential issues with
this type of insulation.
Any questions/comments are welcomed!
Blaine
Don has mentioned several times about vermiculite insulation and the potential issues (now and future) with it.
I was recently at a meeting and Pinchin Environmental (Toronto) gave a presentation regarding what they are finding out there in the field regarding vermiculite insulation. Here`s some of their findings:
- Of the 800 samples of homes in GTA with vermiculite that were tested from
Pinchin`s labs, 70% had asbestos and 30% did not. The ones with asbestos
are all mined from Libby, Montana branded as "Zonolite" and are generally
smaller, while the ones without asbestos were mined from South Africa,
branded as "Micafil"
- If vermiculite is found and is a concern from the client, they can have it
tested for $100 for 5 day turnaround, or $200 for 24 hour turnaround at
Pinchin
- They would need to gather 3 samples in different sections of the
vermiculite at the lower portions (as asbestos settles to the bottom)
- The cost for remediation is anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000, and possibly
even more if vermiculite had fallen into wall spaces (e.g. in balloon
framing)
- Vermiculite was more extensively used in the interior of masonry blocks
than for attics
- Does not need to be removed if it is undisturbed ( so far)
- Ministry of Labour requires that any demolition where asbestos is present,
the asbestos must be first properly removed by qualified asbestos abatement
contractors before demolition begins. This would apply to all types of
material with asbestos in it (vermiculite, vent insulation, drywall
compound, flooring, ceiling tiles). However, this is not a common practice,
and is not usually enforced.
A couple of other things to keep in mind:
-We (home inspectors) are starting to hear rumblings that some insurance companies are starting to
question vermiculite insulation. When we find vermiculite during the inspection we tell the client that
they need to discuss this with their insurance company and confirm with them what, if any, action is required.
- When we are doing a pre-listing inspection ( inspecting the home before it goes on the market) and vermiculite
is found, some agents and/or sellers will be pro-active and have a sample tested to confirm if any asbestos
is present.
For those that don`t know what it looks like here`s a link: vermiculite
Here`s what CMHC says about it: (scroll way down) CMHC
And what Health Canada says: Health Canada
I don`t want to "freak" anybody out, but I think everybody should be aware of the potential issues with
this type of insulation.
Any questions/comments are welcomed!
Blaine