Zonolite Insulation Removal in a House? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bigtime · 10-27-2010, 09:39 AM

So the Bigtime's are house hunting (well for the last year or so) and we have come across an interesting situation that we were both unaware of.

A house we are interested in has Zonolite insulation in the attic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiculite), which apparently has absestos in it. Now everything I am reading online says it is fine if you don't disturb it, but if we were to purchase this house we would most likely be doing some extensive renovations to this house.

Has anyone had experience with zonolite before? I am very curious as to the cost for professional removal, just so we have an idea for possible negotiations on the house pricing.

Thought I'd check with the Calpuck crowd first, going to start calling some property renovators over the next couple of days to get there estimates on it.

Also worth noting that we are looking at very specific inner-city neighbourhoods for our home, so most houses are older and tend to have this insulation in them.

Pinner · 10-27-2010, 09:48 AM

You could get it tested, not all of that insulation has asbestos in it. This is the stuff that looks like shinny pebbles.

Bigtime · 10-27-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinner

You could get it tested, not all of that insulation has asbestos in it. This is the stuff that looks like shinny pebbles.

It sure looked like that, but I'm sure we could get some tested prior to making an offer on the property.

Pinner · 10-27-2010, 09:57 AM

Just recently I heard only 10% of it contains asbestos, only the stuff that came from Montana.

Any house older than 20-25 yr's has some asbestos in it, drywall compounds, tiles, and a big source, fireplace insulation.

KTrain · 10-27-2010, 10:02 AM

We had Zonolite in our old house and it was discovered when we were trying to sell the house. The same inspection company didn't find it when we moved in, but that's another story.

The buyer said they would buy our home but we had to have the Zonolite removed for the conditions to be cleared. Luckily my wife's father owns a commercial insulation company and was able to get his connections into the house to remove and replace the insulation for free (to us, his company paid). He told us after the fact that the cost was $15,000. Our house was a tiny 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 800 sq/f bungalow.

I would either have the seller remove it or not buy the house. You and I know that not disturbing the insulation it is fine and may be willing to take the risk but the majority of people buying homes won't want it in there regardless. You'll have a hell of a time trying to sell it down the road if it's still in there.

algernon · 10-27-2010, 10:03 AM

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos//pubs/verm.html
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv...solant-eng.php

Here's a quote from a contractor's forum that I'm on. They are talking about zonolite, and this was posted in Dec '09. The guy is in Ontario, and it was a 2000 ft2 attic.

Quote:

Just had an attic cleaned out . The company sealed the attic space off ,cut a hole in the roof and removed all the bags through it. They were licenced for this type of job. Are you? Did you have the insulation tested first. Most of that type of insulation tests ok Oh ya 10k to do it.

The other posts mentioned using a HEPA filtre vac and wetting it down to keep the dust down. It sounds like it would take a long time to remove with a consumer vac, as the commercial truck-mounted models are $80K.

KTrain · 10-27-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

It sure looked like that, but I'm sure we could get some tested prior to making an offer on the property.

The buyer of our home had the insulation tested for around $300. It took a couple days to get the results back. I believe they sent to to Agat Labs.

Bigtime · 10-27-2010, 10:09 AM

Answers here are about what we have been hearing for costs, at least $10,000 as a bare minimum.

Shin Pad · 10-27-2010, 01:46 PM

It depends on how old your house is and where the zonolite comes from. If you have a 60's house and the zonolite comes from Montana, then it probably has asbestos in it. The only sure way to find out is to have it tested. Zonolite (vermiculite), is still used today, mostly for core filling concrete block. The zonolite that is used today does not contain asbestos.

Bigtime · 10-27-2010, 01:56 PM

The house we are looking at was renovated in the 60's/70's, so we will definitely have it tested. My old man recognized it right away, he sold truckloads of the stuff when he worked for Weldwood back in the late 70's.

speede5 · 10-27-2010, 03:38 PM

It will most likely have asbestos, and I was quoted 10K in Moose Jaw for a 900Sq ft bungalow. Removal only. At some point you will disturb it if you are doing renos, I would stay away, but mostly because of the stigma and resale down the road. It isn't hard to protect yourself during renos, but others may not be so confident.

lucky1 · 09-28-2016, 07:52 PM

Resurrecting an old thread here because it's the exact scenario I am facing.... cool old house in a great neighbourhood has vermiculite insulation in the attic. Does anyone have any further Insight on up to date costs to remediate it?
Tried going back to the seller to split the cost, but because we beat him down so much on his initial asking price, they refuse to negotiate further....
Any input from the collective CP minds?

calgarywinning · 09-28-2016, 08:02 PM

We had a house that we were going to demo, it was about 1000 sqft 2 years ago. The cost for removal was 10k and we managed to be able to split this with the seller in an up market.

It's really questionable, because all they do is wear suits, breathing masks and spray a chemical to keep particles (harmful) out of the immediate air. I guess part of the cost is the disposal, as it can't go to a landfill.

Either which way, when it comes out the value of the house should be increased. Whether you have paid for the full removal or not.

edslunch · 09-28-2016, 08:06 PM

[QUOTE=calgarywinning;5924318]We had a house that we were going to demo, it was about 1000 sqft 2 years ago. The cost for removal was 10k and we managed to be able to split this with the seller in an up market.

It's really questionable, because all they do is wear suits, breathing masks and spray a chemical to keep particles (harmful) out of the immediate air. I guess part of the cost is the disposal, as it can't go to a landfill.

Either which way, when it comes out the value of the house should be increased. Whether you have paid for the full removal or not.[QUOTE]

Ten years ago similar situation. 10k to remove it. I figured they would come wearing moon suits but not, an old guy and a couple of teenagers wearing drywall masks. I couldn't believe it.

Red · 09-28-2016, 08:20 PM

Yes asbestos removal has become a bit of a scam business.
10K is whats expected to vacuum out vermiculate.

Other option? If the old house needs a new roof, open it up, sweep it in the orange bags yourself. Get a good mask and suit, burn it all after....or just toss it.

That way you get a free roof.

calgarywinning · 09-28-2016, 08:35 PM

Yes, that whole glass shards in your throat and lucks slicing and dicing really eliminates the DIY approach though... thus the random but consistent 10k quotes.

But as you say, that's actually what they do. I bet disposal is no more than $800-$1000. Half a day of labour for 3 workers.

Red · 09-28-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarywinning

Yes, that whole glass shards in your throat and lucks slicing and dicing really eliminates the DIY approach though... thus the random but consistent 10k quotes.

But as you say, that's actually what they do. I bet disposal is no more than $800-$1000. Half a day of labour for 3 workers.

Not if you get a proper mask. This isn't Chernobyl trip, those guys do this 8 hrs a day with the proper equipment. DIY can be done, especially if you can open up the roof.

Should mention that asbestos itself is not a joke, be careful with it. But the pros aren't exactly anything more than cheap labour with good hazmat suits and masks. The actual work is nothing difficult.

Bigtime · 09-29-2016, 07:20 AM

Oh my gosh this old thread bump has shown me making using of the wrong "there" in my original post. Should have been their. My shame.

topfiverecords · 09-29-2016, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Oh my gosh this old thread bump has shown me making using of the wrong "there" in my original post. Should have been their. My shame.

Did you end up buying the Zonolite house?

Bigtime · 09-29-2016, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Did you end up buying the Zonolite house?

We did not, I remember the house. It was in Hillhurst (around 11th street if I recall correctly). Cost of the removal and other factors with the house led to us not going for it.

Ultimately we ended up with a 1984 build in Sunnyside (zonolite free) and the only unique feature was that it has a treated wood foundation.