Asbestos is a major health problem, and it’s also common in houses and buildings constructed before the 1980s. It can be found in anything from old floor tiles to insulation to shingles, and it’s dangerous. It’s a carcinogen, and it’s also the cause of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, it’s not a banned substance in many areas of the world. In the United States, however, it is forbidden. It’s still found in many buildings and homes built long ago, and it’s important you are sure your home or office building is free of this deathly substance. It must be handled accordingly, and it must not be taken lightly. Here’s how you know if your home or office is free of asbestos.
Your Home Was Built After the 1980s
If your home was not built in the 1980s, chances are good it does not contain asbestos. This is the best way to tell if your home is free from this deadly carcinogen. It was after the 80s that builders stopped using materials that contain this carcinogen, and that’s good news for you and your family. It’s not permitted for use after this time, which means your home does not contain any materials with this substance. It would not have passed any inspections.
Your Home Was Remodeled After the 1980s
If a professional company remodeled your home following the 80s, you could assume your home or office building was cleared of any asbestos. Permits and licenses for construction in a home or office built during this time would have been checked for asbestos, and it would have been removed from the building. If the homeowner remodeled your home or office at the time, there is probably still asbestos in the house.
You’ve Had An Asbestos Inspection
If you are purchasing an older home or building, you may request asbestos testing. For example, Asbestos Testing ThresholdNV Brisbane might be able to help you figure out if you have asbestos. These specialized inspectors know how to check for asbestos without risking exposure to their bodies. They use specialized equipment to test the materials in your home. This is helpful if you plan on purchasing an older home or building and worry about your health and safety.
Someone Else Had An Inspection
This doesn’t guarantee you are free of asbestos, but if a previous owner paid for an inspection, you could request a copy of that from them. Not all sellers will disclose this information to their real estate agent or buyers, but you can ask. If you do ask, they are required to provide any documentation. Even if that documentation states there is asbestos present in the home, you know it’s there, and you can have it removed.
You Have No Damaged Materials
Here’s where things become a little complicated. Even if your home does contain asbestos, there is a good chance it’s not a big enough deal for you to pay to have it removed. The only time asbestos causes health concerns for people is when it becomes airborne. If you are not planning any renovations, you probably don’t care if your home contains materials with asbestos. For example, if you have old tiles with asbestos, you needn’t worry about it until or unless you plan on replacing them.
Here’s the caveat to this situation. Asbestos only becomes airborne when materials are damaged or disturbed. If you have any damage to insulation, flooring, roofing, or anything that might contain asbestos, you want to have your home tested. If you do not see any damage, you don’t need to worry about asbestos causing health concerns unless you remodel.
Your Home Doesn’t Contain Asbestos-Containing Materials
This is not as common as you might think when it pertains to older homes. However, you might be fortunate enough to find that you have a more former home in which someone was wise enough not to use any materials that contained asbestos. It’s unlikely given the fact that this was a widely-used material for decades, but it’s possible. If you are knowledgeable about these materials, you can check for yourself. If you are not, your builder or inspector might be able to help you figure out if any of the materials used in your home contain asbestos.
You Do Not Have Vermiculite Insulation
One of the most critical materials to look for when you buy a home or building built before the 80s is the use of this insulation. It’s loose insulation, which means that it’s more likely to let loose fibers that become airborne and send this carcinogen into your home. This kind of insulation is most commonly found in attic spaces. It looks a lot like small rocks on the walls, and it’s dangerous. Professionals do not even recommend you have this material tested. They suggest you call an asbestos removal company and have it removed immediately regardless of testing. It’s contaminated, dangerous, and it must be removed from your home quickly.
If you suspect you have asbestos-containing materials in your home, there is no time like the present to have them tested. The concept of figuring out if your home is asbestos-free is simple, but only if you have absolute proof of the materials used in your home or the remodel work that was done. It’s always better to work with the concept of being safe rather than sorry when it comes to this material. It’s caused cancer for many of the people who worked closely with these materials throughout their lives, and it can cause cancer in your home. While you might not have anything to worry about if your home is in excellent condition, it’s never worth your life to live or work anywhere that contains asbestos if you’re planning on doing even the most straightforward amount of remodeling work. Have your home tested, and find out if you need asbestos-containing materials removed.
