Congratulations on your home purchase! This exciting milestone likely involved a lot of time and research to find your perfect place. Before you finish unpacking all those boxes though, it's important to consider having an asbestos inspection. According to our experts, this material was commonly used in home construction up until the 1970s, so there's a good chance your house contains at least some of this hazardous material if it was built before 1980. Here are some helpful questions to ask our professionals.

1. What Exactly Is Asbestos?

You've probably heard scary things about it, but what exactly is it? It refers to six naturally occurring silicate minerals that were once prized in the building industry for being durable, fire-resistant, and an effective insulator. However, microscopic fibers can be released into the air and inhaled, leading to serious health problems like lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma decades later. This is why its use is now heavily regulated.

2. Why Should You Be Concerned About Exposure?

Simply living in a home with these materials won't necessarily make you sick. The material poses a health risk when it's damaged, decaying, or disturbed, causing those nasty microscopic fibers to be released into your indoor air. Some common ways exposure happens include home renovations, water damage, vibration, age, wear-and-tear, damage or even just walking on old vinyl floor tiles. You won't notice these microscopic fibers in the air, making them easy to inhale without realizing it. Additionally, we've seen that related diseases have long latency periods, sometimes not appearing until 10 to 50 years after exposure. According to Asbestos.com, every year, about 90,000 people worldwide die due to asbestos-related diseases.

3. Where Might It Be Hiding in My Home?

Our experts indicate that it was used in over 3,000 different construction products pre-1980s, giving it ample opportunity to make its way into your home. Some of the most common spots where it can be found include:

• Insulation on pipes, ductwork, and boilers
• Vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring
• Roofing and siding shingles
• Vermiculite attic insulation
• Cement exterior shingles, siding, and roofing
• Joint compound and textured paints/plasters
  
  

4. How Can I Tell if My Home Has It?

Unlike lead paint, carbon monoxide, or radon, it cannot be easily detected without proper testing equipment and know-how. Visually, these materials often look harmless. For instance, asbestos ceiling tiles appear identical to non-asbestos ones. When it's in flooring, it looks like any other vinyl composite. Even digging into your vermiculite attic insulation, it would be impossible to distinguish dangerous amphibole fibers from harmless vermiculite with the naked eye. The only way to reliably detect it is by having samples analyzed in an accredited testing lab. This requires specialists with proper safety gear and testing methodologies to ensure what's inside your home stays undisturbed.

5. How Much Does Inspection and Testing Cost?

Asbestos inspection costs can vary depending on your home's size, location, and how many samples are tested. Our experts estimate that average costs fall between $200 to $400, but larger homes or ones with multiple additions can cost $1,000 or more. That may sound pricey upfront, but view it as an investment in your long-term health and home safety. Catching it early prevents future issues down the road. Paying for high-quality testing now also avoids exponentially more expensive removal later if issues arise during renovations or due to age/water damage.

6. What If It's Detected in My Home?

First, don't panic! As mentioned earlier, intact materials generally don't pose an immediate health risk. However, it's still wise to develop a management plan. This includes properly labeling materials, instituting operation and maintenance protocols, and knowing which materials to avoid disturbing without proper safety precautions. You may also consider additional enclosure or encapsulation methods that seal materials in specialized coatings. If any identified asbestos is severely damaged or actively delaminating already, then professional removal may be warranted. An experienced inspector can educate you on all your options. Safely managing some legacy materials is possible. The key is knowing where it resides, so it can be properly addressed as issues arise.

Homeownership is wonderful and full of exciting possibilities. Before rushing into decor upgrades and DIY renovations though, be sure to schedule our professional asbestos check to identify if these toxins linger anywhere inside your new abode. If you're ready to schedule a home inspection, reach out to ASAP Environmental Inc today.