Is There Asbestos In Your Home?

Is There Asbestos In Your Home?

As home inspectors we see asbestos all the time. Infact homes built before the 1980’s are very likely to have materials in them that contain asbestos. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products including but not limited to, roof shingles, siding, vermiculite insulation, ceiling tiles and coating, popcorn ceilings, Drywall and cement sheets, plasters, putties, caulking, electrical switchboard panels, plumbing fixtures, pipe and duct coverings, vinyl floors tiles, and the list goes on. But why does this matter to you as a homeowner?

“About 3,000 are diagnosed annually with mesothelioma and in the U.S. An estimated 10,000 people die annually from some type of asbestos related disease.” source https://www.asbestos.com/abatement-guide/

Microscopic asbestos fibers are 18,000 times thinner than a human hair. When they are disturbed and become airborne they enter the lungs and cause scarring that can lead to cancer over time. It’s very important especially when you are buying an older home to work with professional home inspector who can help you identify high risk materials in the home that are likely to contain asbestos. Once you know where to look testing for the presence of asbestos is cheap and easy. Your home inspector can refer you to several companies that specialize in inspecting, testing, and removing asbestos.

Often the client of the home inspector is strapped for cash as they are about to make the largest purchase of their life. It’s understandable that they don’t want to spend extra money running tests just to see if they have asbestos in their home. People often think that if they don’t disturb the asbestos they will be fine, and although there is some truth to this, it is very short sighted. Anytime you do DIY projects or higher contractors to do renovations or improvements you risk disturbing the asbestos in your home and you are putting your health at risk

Just like a your family doctor gives you information about your health and refers you to a specialist, a home inspector diagnosis your home and refers you to specialist like electricians, plumbers, and certified asbestos testers and removers. If and when you follow up on issues is always up to you but it is best to better to have the knowledge and make informed decisions. For a more complete overview of asbestos and please visit www.asbestos.com or check out the link to the site in our resources section