Asbestos was at one time used heavily in homes due to its insulative and fire-resistant properties. Unfortunately, the material can pose a danger to those inside your home as the asbestos ages. The following can help you better understand the concerns about asbestos in the home so you can keep your family safe.
Where Is Asbestos Found?
Asbestos can be found throughout the home, typically in areas where heat or fire resistance is desired. It is used in insulation, roofing and siding, floor and ceiling tiles, and in heat tiles such as those installed around a wood stove. It can also be used in older pipe insulation. Although asbestos is still used in some modern home building products, it is more likely to pose a danger in items that were installed prior to 1980. This is because the use and construction of asbestos-containing items became much more highly regulated at this time.
What Is the Danger of Asbestos?
Cancer is the primary concern when it comes to asbestos. As materials containing asbestos age and degrade, the particles are released into the air you breathe. Once in the lungs, asbestos increases the chances of certain cancers, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Symptoms of asbestos exposure are not immediate. It can take a decade, or more before you know that you have been exposed.
Is All Asbestos Dangerous?
Not all asbestos is dangerous. Asbestos that is sealed and undisturbed poses no danger, which is why modern asbestos materials are constructed to resist damage better than the earlier counterparts. Asbestos is only a danger when it is released into the air. For this reason, you need to know where asbestos is located in your home so that you don't accidentally release it during routine construction or home DIY projects.
How Do You Know If You Need Removal?
A professional asbestos service can test your home for asbestos. If you own a home built before 1980, it is vital that you have the home inspected and tested. If dangerous asbestos is found, the removal service will either safely encapsulate it so that the material no longer poses a hazard, or they will make sure the material is completely removed. If you own a newer home that may contain asbestos, it is important to have areas tested for the material before beginning any renovation projects that could disturb the asbestos.
Contact an asbestos abatement and mitigation service for more help.
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