Asbestos in the home is a scary prospect for today's home buyers. Over the years, they have been getting more and more concerned about Asbestos in ceilings, flooring tiles and anywhere else it my be hiding. We have teamed up with the Mesothelioma Center to get the facts to you.
As you may know, homes built before 1980 likely have asbestos insulation in them. When home owners remodel, they may expose themselves to asbestos, which could lead to a fatal cancer known as mesothelioma. There are many environmentally sustainable, healthy and GREEN ways to insulate your home and this is among the topics we like to discuss. We figured it would be a perfect time to educate people on asbestos exposure and related illnesses.
Where Asbestos Can be Found: In the Home
The amount of asbestos that can be found within a home depends on when the home was built or renovated. If the house, or anything in it, was built before the mid-1970s, there is a good chance of finding asbestos-containing materials. However, asbestos was still used in homes though the 1980s and is found in construction products made today. These materials can be found in a variety of places ranging from the roof to the basement.
Asbestos materials that are difficult to locate include vinyl wall coverings, ceiling tiles, and sprayed or troweled on "popcorn" textured coatings. For these products, the only way to find the asbestos-containing fibers is to scientifically sample them for testing by using an EPA-certified lab.
It is important to determine if asbestos is located in the water or steam pipes. If the pipes do contain asbestos, they are safe as long as they are not damaged by water leaks or by children playing nearby. It is best to coat them with modern protection such as plastic sheeting or sprays that will harden and encapsulate the asbestos fibers. These protections, however, will make it more difficult to remove the insulation and will have to be removed at a later date. Most states and/or municipalities require separate removal and proper disposal of all asbestos-containing materials when any building is demolished, or when an area is renovated where such materials are present.
The rule of thumb here is this. If you have concerns about anything you find in a home, get it tested. If it is Asbestos and you feel that it really can't be kept safely where it is, have it removed before you start your renovations.
Warm Regards-
Mike & Gayle
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