Asbestos in homes can be a disturbing thought. Even though many homes contain asbestos, it does not necessarily need to be a source of worry. As long as the asbestos containing materials are in good condition and undisturbed, they are usually safe. If for some reason you decide to remodel or disturb the asbestos containing material, it is important to call an expert who can identify what type of asbestos material is present in order to ensure there is no risk of health issues associated with its disturbance. Worrying over asbestos shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your home – understanding how best to manage it will help keep you and your family safe.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE ASBESTOS IN MY PROPERTY?
Testing for asbestos can be a simple or complex task depending on some factors. These factors depend on whether you are simply removing a specific building material such as vinyl floor, drywall, popcorn ceiling texture, etc. or if you are planning to do a full remodel and will need to do a lot of demolition, gut the room or entire property or even scrape the property completely. Whichever route you’re taking, make sure you identify your state, county and city laws first. The best method of testing that can be used to detect the presence of asbestos in the home is hiring a professional asbestos testing company. These professionals will collect bulk samples from the material that will be disturbed and send the samples to a laboratory for analysis. There are a few reasons to consider hiring a professional when testing for asbestos.
- They will educate and walk you through the process of abatement
- They will provide a report with recommendations for handling the asbestos
- They will translate your lab report to more simple terms
- If you are conducting a large demolition job, it is important to hire a professional to inspect all locations so you don’t miss anything.
Asbestos testing may seem complicated but with the right method and help from professional services, you’re more likely to have a successful project!
Luis Balmaceda is the President of Clear Developments, an asbestos abatement company based in Denver, Colorado.