Vermiculite Ceiling Asbestos
I usually see it partially filling the cavities between ceiling joists to a depth of between 2 and 4 inches.
Vermiculite ceiling asbestos. Not only did it function as an acoustic coating but was also used as a decorative texture finish when sprayed directly over concrete substrates or alternatively when sprayed over some type of mesh such as expanded metal lath. Vermiculite ceilings were popular spray applied ceiling finishes of the sixties seventies and well into the eighties. Thus asbestos ceilings were used to reduce the risk of fire spreading through the ceiling.
The crumbled texture of this attic insulation leaves asbestos exposed to anything that might disturb it. An even bigger risk comes when the ceiling starts to deteriorate or you remove it for remodeling. Before 1978 some popcorn surfaces were made with vermiculite which is no longer used because asbestos naturally occurs in it.
It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. It s a common thermal insulation material found in attics of homes. Unfortunately this was during a period when asbestos was a high demand building material in the u s.
If there is undamaged asbestos in your home often the safest easiest and cheapest way to deal with it is to leave it alone. Address any damage to a popcorn ceiling without delay. Asbestos ceilings were used because of their fireproofing and heat resistance properties.
Much of it installed between 1923 and 1990 could be contaminated with asbestos. In houses asbestos ceilings are most commonly found in bathrooms laundries and garages as these are rooms where a fire may start unattended. Concerns about asbestos contaminated vermiculite insulation a mine near libby montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the united states from 1919 to 1990.
There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine so the vermiculite from libby was contaminated with asbestos. Removal of such a surface must be handled by a certified contractor. Laboratory testing is the only way to tell whether a vermiculite based popcorn ceiling contains asbestos.