If you live in a home built before 1990 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there’s a chance your attic insulation may contain asbestos. While it was once a standard building material due to its fire resistance and durability, asbestos is now known for the serious health risks it poses—especially when it's disturbed or deteriorating.

Many homeowners aren’t aware of what’s in their attic or how old insulation could be affecting their air quality, safety, or energy efficiency. At AtticProsTX, we specialize in identifying, safely removing, and replacing outdated or hazardous insulation—including asbestos.

Why Was Asbestos Used in Insulation?

From the 1930s through the late 1970s, asbestos was a popular choice in construction across the U.S., including Texas. It was especially common in attics because of its natural fire resistance, insulating properties, and low cost.

Asbestos was often blended into:

• Loose-fill (blown-in) insulation

• Batt insulation

• Duct and pipe wrap

• Vermiculite insulation, which often came from a mine in Libby, Montana known to be contaminated

By the early 1980s, as more research confirmed the health dangers, the use of asbestos in insulation was largely phased out. But many homes in North Texas still contain it, especially those built before 1985.

The Hidden Health Risks in Your Attic

The danger with asbestos isn’t just its presence—it’s the microscopic fibers it releases when disturbed. These fibers can be sucked into your duct system, and blown throughout your home, where they are often inhaled and lodged in lung tissue, causing long-term health problems including:

• Asbestosis (a chronic lung disease)

• Lung cancer

• Mesothelioma (a rare but aggressive cancer)

• Chronic respiratory issues

Homeowners often discover the problem during renovations, HVAC replacements, or rodent damage, when insulation is shifted or damaged. That’s when the risk of exposure becomes real.

How to Identify If Your Insulation Contains Asbestos

There’s no safe way to visually confirm asbestos in insulation. However, some signs can raise red flags:

• Your home was built before 1990 (especially before 1985)

• The insulation appears gray, fluffy, or pebble-like (as with vermiculite)

• There’s visible damage, crumbling, or disturbance in the attic insulation

If any of this sounds familiar, it's time to schedule a professional inspection.

What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos in Your Attic

Don’t try to remove or disturb the insulation yourself. Asbestos becomes most dangerous when it’s airborne. At AtticProsTX, we’re trained and equipped to safely remove attic insulation that may contain asbestos.

Our process includes:

1. Assessment and testing to determine the presence of asbestos.

2. Containment and air filtration to protect your living space during removal.

3. Safe removal and disposal following EPA and state regulations.

4. Clean, efficient re-insulation using modern materials like fiberglass, cellulose, or spray foam—customized to your home’s needs.

We handle the entire process, start to finish, so you can be confident your attic is safe, clean, and up to code.

Safer, Smarter Insulation for Modern DFW Homes

Once the old insulation is removed, we install high-quality alternatives like:

• Fiberglass blown-in insulation for cost-effective energy performance

• Open-cell or closed-cell spray foam for superior air sealing and moisture control

• Batt insulation for structured cavities like walls or floors

• Full air sealing for older homes that leak conditioned air

These materials are non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, and help reduce energy bills, improve comfort, and protect your indoor air quality.

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