Get Your Free Estimate
1,866Ottawa Clients Served
408,500Sq. Ft. Removed
14 YrsExperience
★★★★★"Extremely professional, courteous and very fairly priced." — Bernice P., Ottawa Homeowner
Is This Vermiculite?
Vermiculite is a loose-fill insulation that was poured into many Canadian attics before 1990. Here's how to recognize it.
What It Looks Like
Small, lightweight, pebble-like granules, often shiny, ranging from silver-gold to grey-brown. Some people say it looks like loose bits of packing foam.
Where It's Found
Usually poured between the joists in your attic, sometimes hidden under newer insulation laid on top. It was also poured into some wall cavities.
Why It Matters
Much of the vermiculite sold in Canada came from a mine in Libby, Montana, sold as Zonolite, that was contaminated with asbestos. That mine closed in 1990.
Why We Test First
Not all vermiculite contains asbestos. Unless yours has already been tested, we recommend testing before removal, so you know exactly what you're dealing with.
/peanutbutter-seo-ottawa-copy3/images/reliance-k9373.png)
/peanutbutter-seo-ottawa-copy3/images/Mrr-h3760.png)
/peanutbutter-seo-ottawa-copy3/images/bmo-a96f9.png)
/peanutbutter-seo-ottawa-copy3/images/GNI-c111c.png)
/peanutbutter-seo-ottawa-copy3/images/made-oe461.png)
How Vermiculite Removal Works
From "is this vermiculite?" to a clean attic and a certificate in hand.
01
Free Consultation
Tell us what you've found. We'll give you honest advice and a free estimate, with no pressure and no upsell.
02
Test First
Unless your vermiculite has already been tested, we sample it and send it to an accredited lab to confirm whether it contains asbestos.
03
Type 3 Removal
If it's positive, we remove it under full Type 3 containment, using a purpose-built vermiculite vacuum or careful hand-bagging.
04
Certificate of Abatement
When the job is done, you receive a certificate of abatement documenting the work for your records, a future sale, or peace of mind.
What Vermiculite Removal Costs
Every attic is different, but here's what to expect so you can plan ahead.
Vermiculite Testing
From $495
Find out if your vermiculite contains asbestos before you commit to removal. Analyzed by an accredited lab.
Attic Vermiculite Removal
$8,000 to $20,000
Typical range for a full attic. Your price depends on the size of the attic, the depth of the insulation, and how easy the attic is to access.
Every removal quote is free, upfront and final. Get yours today.
Think You Have Vermiculite? Don't Disturb It
Vermiculite that's left alone in a closed attic is generally a low risk. The danger comes when it's moved and the fibres get into the air. Until it's tested or removed:
Don't
- Store things in the attic or go up there more than you need to
- Vacuum, shovel or try to remove it yourself
- Renovate, cut into ceilings or add pot lights below it
- Rely on a regular dust mask, which won't stop asbestos fibres
Do
- Keep the attic hatch closed and keep kids out of the attic
- Seal cracks and gaps in the ceiling, around light fixtures and the attic hatch
- Tell any contractor about it before they work in the attic
- Have it tested before any renovation work
Based on guidance from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and Manitoba Health.
Our Customers Say It Best
Video Testimonial — Ottawa, ON
★★★★★
"Hired PatchBoyz for asbestos removal. They were extremely professional, courteous and very fairly priced. They explained everything before and after the work was done and even followed up a few days later to be sure I was satisfied. I will be using them again in the near future, and would recommend them 110%."
Bernice P. — Ottawa, ON
★★★★★
"Jud called to let us know he would be exactly 2 minutes late. I thought this to be quite funny. I am not given to handing out references, but both I and the friends whom I was accompanied by were impressed by the professionalism displayed throughout."
Rita C. — Ottawa, ON
Video Testimonial — Ottawa, ON
★★★★★
"Thank you so much for coming to my home to remove the asbestos from our vents, or 'boots' as you taught us. Your timeliness was of the utmost importance to have our furnace replaced. I wouldn't hesitate to call you again."
MacGillivray L. — Ottawa, ON
/peanutbutter-seo-ottawa-copy3/images/patchboyz-brothers.jpg)
Led by Two Brothers, Start to Finish
After years of experience in Ottawa asbestos removal, PatchBoyz's founder led crews in several government buildings, including work inside the Canadian Parliament. Large parts of the block and crawl spaces were remediated to restore this Canadian Heritage building to acceptable standards.
Vermiculite removal is friable, Type 3 work, the most demanding kind of asbestos abatement. Understanding procedures front to back is critical, and there's no room for error. As a team led by two brothers, communication stays direct and our fees are stated upfront.
14 Years, Residential & Commercial
Private and public sector experience, including government buildings.
Locally Based in Ottawa
15-3 Hogan St, Ottawa, ON. Proudly serving Ottawa and the surrounding area.
Selling Your Home?
We work with real estate agents, and your certificate of abatement documents the work for buyers.
/peanutbutter-seo-ottawa-copy3/images/bWsVq9ELBkEqtg9yYSL2A_1cc6a8fb69fd458c80f059dabbd6e7b5.jpg)
Full Type 3 Containment, Every Time
Asbestos-positive vermiculite is loose and friable, so it calls for the highest level of containment. Here's what that means for your home:
01
Full ContainmentDirty room, clean room and shower room, with negative air pressure throughout, so fibres stay out of your living space.
02
Purpose-Built RemovalVermiculite is cleared with a specialized vermiculite vacuum or carefully hand-bagged, depending on your attic.
03
Vermiculite in Your Walls?We remove it from wall cavities too. To guarantee it's all gone, the walls need to be opened to expose the cavity.
Questions We Hear from Ottawa Homeowners
Removing vermiculite from a typical attic costs between $8,000 and $20,000, depending on the size of the attic, the depth of the insulation, and how easy it is to access. Testing starts at $495. We give you a free, upfront price before any work starts.
No. Much of the vermiculite sold in Canada came from a mine in Libby, Montana that was contaminated with asbestos, but vermiculite from other sources may not be. The only way to know is to test it, which is why we recommend testing first unless yours has already been tested.
Look for loose, pebble-like granules between your attic joists, usually silver-gold to grey-brown and often a little shiny. It can be hidden under newer insulation, so don't dig through it to check. Look from the hatch, then give us a call and we'll help you figure it out.
Vermiculite that stays undisturbed in a closed attic is generally considered a low risk. The risk comes when it's disturbed, for example by storing items in the attic, renovating, or cutting into the ceiling below, because that can release asbestos fibres into the air.
We strongly advise against it. Removing vermiculite that may contain asbestos without proper training and specialized equipment can spread fibres through your home. Asbestos-positive vermiculite calls for full Type 3 containment, which is what we use on every job.
Yes. Vermiculite was sometimes poured into wall cavities as well as attics. To guarantee that all of it is removed, the walls need to be opened to expose the cavity.
You receive a certificate of abatement documenting the work. It's useful for your own records, for insurance, and for buyers if you ever sell your home.
Can't find what you're looking for? Ask us a question, it's free.
Get Your Free Estimate.Today.
Reach out now and we'll call you back, usually the same day, to talk through testing, removal and a clear price. No obligation, ever.
TEST FIRST / TYPE 3 CONTAINMENT / CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT / OTTAWA, ON