Signs Your House Has Asbestos

For years, asbestos was the premier standard in fire safety equipment. Unfortunately, the adverse health effects of this ubiquitous material weren’t correctly understood throughout much of the 20th century, and countless homes and commercial buildings were constructed using the now-banned fire-retardant building material.

Today, we know that asbestos is responsible for a number of fatal health conditions, including mesothelioma, a type of rapidly metastasizing lung cancer, and asbestosis, which is the direct result of exposure to the chemicals.

If your home was constructed before the 1980s, chances are that it contained some amount of asbestos at some point. Contrary to popular belief, however, asbestos was never completely banned in the United States. This means that even relatively new homes still may contain amounts of the deadly chemical.
While it’s often difficult to determine on your own whether or not your home is a significant source of asbestos exposure, you can always rely on professional help from a company specializing in asbestos testing in Buffalo, NY to be sure.

Here are a few signs that may indicate whether or not your home is contaminated with asbestos:

• The home’s age:
  Asbestos was most prevalent in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The U.S. government began regulating the use of asbestos in 1979, but it was unable to ever fully implement an asbestos ban. This means that while the age of your home is often a good indicator of your risk of asbestos exposure, it’s far from definitive.
• The type of roofing:
  What type of roofing do you have on your home? Flat corrugated and bitumen roofing styles are often significant sources of asbestos. This means that if you believe your home has this type of roofing, you should contact an asbestos expert prior to making any repair attempts.
• Flooring style:
  If your flooring tiles are nine inches by nine inches, they could be contaminated. Additionally, older vinyl tiles and vinyl sheeting with paper or millboard are also common sources of asbestos contamination. If you notice any of these flooring types in your home, it’s advisable to call for help from an asbestos expert as soon as possible.
• Color of pipe insulation:
  Asbestos was commonly used as an insulation material, because of its density and fire resistance. Gray and white asbestos may be surrounding the pipes in your home. Often, pipes were fitted with white asbestos wrapping tape in order to preserve energy and increase insulation. White or gray piping insulation is often a good sign that you need asbestos testing in Buffalo, NY.
• Old ceilings:
  Asbestos cement sheeting was a common material to use in old ceilings. As this material degrades, it may begin to come apart at corners, light fixtures and attic access portals. This could mean that poisonous asbestos is literally raining down into your living space. If you have an older home and notice this type of ceiling degradation, call for help immediately.

Ahold of Mold Environmental is a full-service source of asbestos testing in Buffalo, NY. We also offer asbestos remediation. Get in touch with us today to arrange a consultation.

Categorised in: Asbestos