Asbestos is a fire-retardant material. And yes, you might have asbestos in your home. Asbestos was an important construction material between the 1940s and 1970s. This means that if you have an old home, there is a high chance that there’s asbestos present during testing. If you want to learn more about asbestos, the risks it brings, and why it needs to be tested, then you have come to the right place.

Asbestos: How Bad is It For You?

Prolonged asbestos exposure is proven to be harmful to humans. It can lead to lung disease. And when disturbed, it is important to get rid of it as soon as possible. Inhaling the tiny abrasive asbestos fibers can damage the lungs and may cause cancer. This is why Asbestos Testing is very important to keep the family safe.

When the material is in good condition, it will not release asbestos fibers. The danger only happens when the material that contains asbestos is damaged. It can be due to wear and tear or accidental sawing or scraping which may cause the asbestos to crumble.

Asbestos Sampling and Testing

Sampling and testing are processes that specifically test the presence of asbestos. The testing often requires collecting samples of materials that may contain asbestos. The sample is brought to the laboratory to be analyzed for asbestos. This testing is crucial since asbestos exposure can be a health risk, like severe respiratory diseases.

How to Determine Asbestos in Your Home?

If you suspect that there is asbestos in your home, it is important to check for any damages from materials that contain it. Regularly check for tears and abrasions, as well as possible water damage on such materials.

If your home never had any remodeling done since it was built between the 1940s to 1980s, there is a great chance of having asbestos in the house from the construction materials used. Here are the instances where there is a greater chance of your home having asbestos: 

• • Vermiculite Insulation. And if you have an old home, you might still be using vermiculite insulation which contains asbestos.

• • Vinyl Flooring. Old vinyl floors were installed using adhesives and tile backing that contain asbestos.

• • Corrugated Roofing. Older homes often still have corrugated asbestos roofing sheets. Call an expert to check if this is the type of roofing used for your home.

You can’t see asbestos but they are a risk to your health. That is why you must know how to determine if an asbestos sampling and testing is needed. If you are not sure yet you suspect that this is a problem, talk to an expert. Call an asbestos testing provider to survey your home.