Asbestos Testing
ASBESTOS TESTING
The vast majority of homes older than 20 years, especially those built in the 1950s and 1960s, contain a number of asbestos and lead products.
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Asbestos was a solid, fire resistant product that served the industry well from a longevity standpoint. Homes that were built in that period, especially those who haven’t been remodeled yet, may have asbestos. This can be found in the ceiling materials or floor tiles, the walls or insulation, as well as places like ducts and fireplaces. Some cement materials were also laced with asbestos which was used in all kinds of areas in homes.
Asbestos Removal Can be Costly and Dangerous
When removed or disturbed, microscopic fibrils in asbestos are so abrasive that, if inhaled, they can cause lung-scarring illnesses and even lung cancer. It is important to know what is in your home so you can determine how it should be handled in a safe manner.
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Residential buildings may contain asbestos in their walls, ceilings, floors, roofs, siding, HVAC systems, insulation, pipes and more. When asbestos-containing material is disturbed and improperly handled, tiny hazardous fibers are released into the air and may cause lung cancer and other illnesses. It’s important homeowners identify asbestos and have it properly removed before beginning remodeling projects.
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Below is a list of materials that may contain asbestos.
How to Know if a Home Has Asbestos
The best way to determine if asbestos is in your home is to have a licensed inspector like United Home Inspection Group perform a home inspection. If detected, they can then work to have that material tested to either deny or confirm if it’s present.
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For example, we can come into your home to inspect it through a series of products and using specific equipment. We encourage that you send your kids to their friends’ for the day and remove pets from the home to ensure their safety. We will collect a sample of what we feel is asbestos and send it out to a specialized lab for testing.
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If There is Asbestos, Does it Have to Be Removed?
This really depends on what you plan to do with the home. Some believe the only way to ensure the occupant’s safety is to have it removed. Others, however, say it depends on what state the asbestos is in, if it has been disturbed already, or if it can be encapsulated to protect anyone in the home. If you plan to do any renovation work, big or small, you should have the material removed. Airborne particles are not something you want to chance.
If you think you may be living in or purchasing a home that has the potential to have asbestos-containing building materials, please get in touch with us and we would love to help you keep your family safe.
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