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Vermiculite Removal in Brookfield, WI

Posted by milwaukeevermiculite on March 11, 2026
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Pictures from a recent attic vermiculite removal and re-insulation completed by Racine Home Insulators, LLC. This vermiculite removal service and insulation service was performed in Brookfield, WI. This company uses their proprietory “VermVac” system and industry leading procedures to remove attic materials effciently and safely. With 12,000 cubic feet of negative air and a self contained HEPA filtered collection system, Racine Home Insulators, LLC has set the standard for safe and cost effective vermiculite and vermin (mice) infested attic insulation. Enjoy these before and after pictures of their attic insulation services that they shared with us.

Before the vermiculite insulation cab be accessed the 4×8′ sheets of plywood first needed to be removed.
Fiberglass batting in contact with vermiculite is also contaminated and must be removed.
A few thousand pounds of vermiculite ready to be removed.
The Vermvac is proprietory equipment developed by Racine Home Insulators during their 17 years of vermiculite abatement. The owners currently hold 3 patents on this technology.
The same area previously covered with vermiculite insulation is now clean and ready for air sealing and new insulation.
Nice clean joist cavities with all wiring and other structures exposed so safe and effective air sealing can begin.
Vermiculite removal is much more difficult when an HVAC system is present, but it is also very important. the movement of air near vermiculite greatly increases the possibility of asbestos enetering the living space. The air handler is always turned off during vermiculite disturbance and critical barriers are taped off with plastic.
Here the bulk removal of vermiculite is completed and the next step is the detailed “clean up” stage with smaller vacuum hoses that can get in tighter locations. Note some of the air sealing around the chimney has already started.
Industry best cellulose means it is 100% borate fire retardant (no ammonia sulfate) or other less effective fire retardants. Borate formula fire retardant is also a huge deterrent to mice and other vermin. As advertised by the big box pest control companies, borate compounds effectively stop insects and mice from nesting in your insulation.
Attic insulation services included blowing 15″ of industry best cellulose to achieve R50. Note the depth markers placed throughout the attic to help the technician be accurate in the amount of cellulose installed.
Attic insulation services included blowing 15″ of industry best cellulose to R50. Installing rafter channel baffles (vent chutes) ao any air entering the soffit can make it into the attic space. Note the rigid metal hold back around the chimney.

Homeowner Checklist

Posted by milwaukeevermiculite on January 31, 2016
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All Contractors in Wisconsin disturbing or removing vermiculite must comply with the following:

  1. The contractor must be a licensed asbestos abatement company in Wisconsin, or whichever state the work is being performed
  2. The contractor must only allow trained and Wisconsin certified “asbestos supervisors” to perform the work
  3. Obtain a “special waste profile” and disclose to the landfill scale operator that the waste is vermiculite and may contain asbestos. Disposing at a landfill without informing the scale operator will create a great deal of liability for the “generator” of the vermiculite (the homeowner) and the
  4. Inform the Wisconsin DHS of location and dates of vermiculite work prior to removal, and post the notification in plain view at all times when the work is being performed
  5. All vacuum equipment used must be EPA compliant and all vacuum exhaust must pass through HEPA rated filters. Capturing vermiculite waste in an attic vacuum bag that is placed in an enclosed or open trailer will contaminate the owner’s property, and likely the neighborhood, if all of the exhaust from the bag is not captured and passed through a HEPA filter.
  6. There are no test results that can change the above. Unlike plaster, roofing material, floor tiling, etc that can be tested for presence of asbestos, the EPA has determined that there is no reliable test for the presence of asbestos in vermiculite. As a result, all vermiculite must be treated as containing asbestos regardless of any test results from any lab.

Read additional details about removal of vermiculite, commonly referred to as zonolite attic insulation, atteh following link: http://www.milwaukeevermiculite.com/homeowner-checklist-for-vermiculite-removal/