Remodeling your home is a very exciting process, but like with any large undertaking, you should take some precautions when it comes to making sure that the process is safe for your home and your family. Whether you are hiring professionals or doing it yourself, there is always the importance of clearing your house of potential hazards.
Most of us have at least heard of asbestos and been informed it is dangerous to humans with exposure over time. But what is asbestos, and how do you make sure it won’t affect your remodel?
Continue reading to find out more about asbestos and the advantages of asbestos testing services.
What Is Asbestos and Why Is It a Problem?
Asbestos is, of course, a naturally occurring mineral, but it was used, not so long ago, for this purpose because of its durability and fire-resistant properties. For many decades, asbestos was used in everything-from insulation and flooring tiles, roofing shingles, and even siding. The crux of the matter, however, is that whereas asbestos was the favored construction material then, we now know that exposure to its fibers leads to serious health issues.
Why Should You Worry About Asbestos?
Yes, if your home was built before the 1980s, chances are that it contains asbestos in one form or another. As long as these materials remain sealed and undisturbed, they pose little to no risk. On the other hand, during renovation when there is tearing out or alteration of walls, ceilings, or floors, then you stand a possible chance of disturbing these very same substances, thus setting free dangerous fibers into the air.
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
The dangers of asbestos on human health cannot be overstated. When disturbed, asbestos fibers easily go airborne, making it a substance that will reach the lungs or digestive system once ingested. The problems that it has been proven to cause when exposed for a long period will include:
- Mesothelioma : Mesothelioma is a cancerous condition that affects the pleura, the lining surrounding the lungs, and the peritoneum, the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract. Asbestos makes it almost exclusive and by the time mesothelioma diagnosis is made, it is nearly always fatal.
- Asbestos-related lung cancer : Asbestos-related lung cancer is indistinguishable (looks identical to) lung cancer caused by smoking and other causes. There is estimated to be a further lung cancer for every death from mesothelioma.
- Asbestosis : Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung that usually develops after many years of exposure to asbestos. This condition may cause progressive shortness of breath and in severe cases can be fatal.
- Pleural thickening : Pleural thickening is usually a disease that develops after severe exposure to asbestos. The pleura lining the lung becomes inflamed and thickened. As it worsens, the lung itself may become compressed, which can lead to shortness of breath and pain in the chest.
- Other cancers: There is some evidence of cancers of other body parts, including the gastrointestinal tract, that have been connected with asbestos exposure.
All these are serious Health risks of asbestos during home renovation,, and it’s apparent, therefore why asbestos testing should be done before any renovation.
The Importance of Asbestos Testing Before Renovation
Maintaining the Health
This is mainly due to health issues. Simple operations like drilling, sanding, or demolition during building renovation can easily introduce asbestos fibers into the air; micro-fibers that cannot be seen-in many cases you and your family may not even realize it until it’s too late. So if you have an old home, then you definitely need to seek specialized asbestos testing services at your place of residence to ensure there is no presence of such hazardous materials at your place. It is a small price to pay for avoiding a risk of severe health conditions in the future.
Avoiding Judicial Complexity and Financial Losses
Frankly speaking, redevelopments may already be stressful when it comes to money. Now, though, to enter a project without sufficient asbestos testing may open a Pandora’s box of legal and financial distress. If the asbestos has been disturbed and not contained correctly, there could be heavy fines or suits against one, especially if it affects others. Other than that, where one is told that one has compromised the safety of one’s home, there may be costly remediation bills that appear out of the blue.
Asbestos testing services help avoid expensive mistakes by giving a clear idea of what you are dealing with.
Ensuring a Smooth Renovation Process
Perhaps nothing worse than a kicking start into a home project – major snag down the line. Getting an asbestos test done before starting, though, puts you on the clear. In case you find asbestos, proper remediation will be arranged before getting dirty. This brings both mental peace of mind and also keeps the renovation schedule intact.
Boosting Property Value and Safety
It has not only saved your health but increased the value of your property: In any home buying scenario, it is easier to sell a home that is asbestos-free. Potential buyers are likely to buy houses that have undergone tests and been cleared for hazardous materials. However, if your house exhibits signs of having asbestos, it will deter would-be buyers or lessen your selling price.
And who would not feel safe and cleaned staying in a place? If you know that your home has no asbestos, it can turn to be like a sanctuary for you.
What to do if you suspect asbestos in your house
If you suspect that your house contains asbestos, don’t be alarmed! Here’s a fun little guide to help you navigate the whole process:
Considering the Source
Asbestos is only harmful if it deteriorates and creates dust that contains microscopic asbestos particles. Many products in your home contain asbestos, including floor tiles, insulating wraps on hot water pipes, and the insulating wraps used on many water heaters. Most automotive brake pads also contain asbestos, as do many other commonly used products. If those products are in good condition, the asbestos they contain poses no harm.
Contain / Cover-up.
If materials are only somewhat damaged, you can rectify it by either limiting access to the surrounding area or fully enclosing it. This may be done by covering it up or containing it. If you discover asbestos in vinyl floor tiles, you should cover them with wood or carpet. The same applies for insulated pipes with asbestos; you can contain it using a protective sleeve or cover.
Check the Age of Your Insulation
The most common source of asbestos exposure is the older insulation, which is usually asbestos because of its resistance to heat and gives good insulation for homes. It is quite common that houses built during the middle century are likely to have insulation that contained asbestos. As of ComfyLiving, it is estimated that half of US homes were built prior to 1980. If your home is old, you’re likely to have asbestos in the insulation installed in it. You can pay a crew to remove the asbestos and replace it with newer insulation that doesn’t contain asbestos.
Seal Suspected Asbestos
If you think that you might have insulation or other products in your house which contain asbestos, one provisional fix is to seal off the suspected source. You can spray over the suspected insulation and other items a spray of water to limit the dust that they may create. You also could seal off the supposed asbestos source using sheets of rolled plastic while you wait for the professionals to amend the problem.
Hire a Professional Asbestos Service
The best option to deal with unwanted asbestos in your home is to hire a properly trained and equipped asbestos removal team. The team will have hazmat suits, respirators, and the equipment needed to contain and remove items likely to contain asbestos. The team can also dispose of contaminated materials safely and permanently.
Making the Right Choices for Your Renovation
When planning your home renovation, keep the following tips in mind:
- Start With Asbestos Testing : Asbestos Test Test for asbestos before demolition or remodeling. This is the first step that pays off in terms of safety and peace of mind.
- Use Professional Services : Engage services from professionals with competency and experience in the field of testing for asbestos. This way, you will be assured that testing and remediation are made safely and effectively.
- Risks and Regulations : Learn about the dangers of asbestos in your community and local regulations regarding handling and disposal. Education is a very important component of your safety and compliance.
- Communicate When You Are Renovating : If you’re hiring contractors, discuss your concerns about asbestos. Open communication will ensure that everyone’s perception of safety measures is all aligned.
- Consider an Asbestos Management Plan : For old homes, you could consider preparing an asbestos management plan that details where and what is present – asbestos materials. This would prove very helpful as a ready reference for contractors and the eventual homeowner.
In Conclusion: Don’t Skip Asbestos Testing!
In fact, it is advisable to discover the dangers of asbestos in an older home prior to embarking on renovation. Investment in asbestos testing before renovation saves you not only your health but your property and your peace of mind.
Remodeling should be fun: the opportunity to make your house yours. Don’t let fear of unknown dangers dampen that excitement! Let us take that burden from you. Contact Us today for professional asbestos testing Services, and allow us to take the guesswork out of this very necessary process so that you may focus on what matters most-you can make your house into a home.
Thanks for joining me on this asbestos adventure today! All the best with the renovations and remember: knowledge is power when it comes to protecting your wellbeing.
