Vermiculite Insulation Removal in Calgary

Vermiculite is a loose, pebbly insulation found in many older Alberta homes. It's often in the attic, but it can also be inside wall cavities. Much of it was sold under the brand name Zonolite. It came from a mine in Libby, Montana, and was contaminated with asbestos. Health Canada advises homeowners to assume any vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and to leave removal to professionals.

Labbe Demolition & Abatements removes vermiculite safely and completely, with full containment and proper disposal.

What Vermiculite Looks Like

• Loose, granular fill, not batts or rolls
• Grey-brown or silvery-gold colour
• Small, lightweight, accordion-like pebbles
• Usually found between attic joists, sometimes poured into walls

If you think you have it, don't disturb it. Avoid going into the attic or storing things up there, and don't try to vacuum or bag it yourself. Call us.

Our Vermiculite Removal Process

1. Assessment

We inspect the attic and any wall cavities to find out how much vermiculite is there and where it has spread.

2. Alberta OHS notification

Vermiculite removal is treated as asbestos abatement. We file a Notice of Project with Alberta OHS, which must be in at least 72 hours before removal starts. We plan the schedule around that wait so your project isn't held up.

3. Containment

We seal the attic hatch and any openings into the living space. We set up negative air pressure with HEPA air scrubbers so no fibres reach your home.

4. Removal

We remove the vermiculite with HEPA-filtered vacuum equipment, including material from between joists and hard-to-reach spots. Everything goes into sealed, labelled asbestos waste bags.

5. Cleaning

We HEPA-vacuum the attic surfaces to remove leftover dust. We encapsulate the area with FiberLock, an asbestos binding compound, to minimize the risk of any leftover particles becoming airborne.

6. Clearance air testing

Our hygienist does air testing before the containment comes down, confirming the space is safe.

7. Disposal

All waste goes to an approved disposal facility.

Why Choose Labbe

• Vermiculite and asbestos abatement is our specialty, not a side service
• 1,000+ projects completed
• Fully insured: WCB, $5M general liability and $5M pollution/environmental coverage
• Independent air testing by our hygienist
• We leave job sites cleaner than we found them

Serving Calgary and Area

Calgary, Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotoks, Chestermere, Drumheller and surrounding communities.

FAQ

Should I test my vermiculite for asbestos?

Testing is possible, but asbestos is often spread unevenly through vermiculite, so a clean sample doesn't guarantee the rest is clean. Health Canada recommends treating all vermiculite insulation as if it contains asbestos.

Is vermiculite dangerous if I leave it alone?

The risk comes mainly from disturbing it, which releases fibres into the air. If it's sealed off and untouched, it's lower risk. But any renovation, wiring work or air leak into the living space can disturb it.

Do I need to leave my home during removal?

We recommend staying elsewhere while removal is underway.

How long does vermiculite removal take?

Most attics take 1–3 days of work, after the 72-hour OHS notice period. Clearance testing is done before containment is removed.

Will vermiculite affect selling my home?

It often comes up in home inspections and can complicate a sale. Removing it with documentation and clearance results can make the process smoother.