Whether you are a new homeowner or just thinking about buying a home, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the term asbestos. You might have heard of it, but you might not have a clue as to what it is. That’s exactly what we are here for. Although a once-popular building material, asbestos is outlawed today for many good reasons. Why is this? Handling the material has proven extremely dangerous over the years, and dealing with it requires a trained and informed hand.
What Exactly Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a fibrous material that was highly used in the building industry. It was infused with a lot of products like shingles, insulation, and HVAC tape. It was not only an extremely durable and resistant material, but it held many other great qualities that came in handy in the building industry.
Along with being extremely durable, it was fire-resistant and offered a high insulation value. Despite what you’ve likely been led to believe, asbestos isn’t usually considered dangerous until it’s disturbed. The reason for this is that when it’s disturbed, it releases fibers in the air.
Unfortunately, these fibers do not break down like other materials. When they are inhaled they virtually just sit on the lungs, causing irreparable damage. Prolonged breathing of such materials can eventually lead to a whole host of nasty lung diseases including mesothelioma cancer. So, does this mean if asbestos is already in place and undisturbed it doesn’t pose a threat and shouldn’t be bothered?
What If My Homes Does Contain Asbestos Materials?
The best way to think of asbestos is to picture it as mold growth. It doesn’t become dangerous until it is disturbed. However, that doesn’t mean that it should just be left in place. Despite its incredibly rugged design and long life, it will eventually reach a dangerous point. When the fibers start to show, they’ll start to spread in the air without being disturbed.
If your home was built anywhere between the 30s and 80s, there is a good chance it contains some material infused with asbestos. The problem is asbestos fibers is that they are so small they can’t be detected by the human eye. They’re there even when you don’t know it. Therefore, the best way to determine whether or not your home contains asbestos-infused materials is by looking at the materials themselves.
Have a professional, someone with previous experience; examine the materials that might contain asbestos. The shingles, HVAC insulation, attic and crawlspace insulation, HVAC tape, and cement pipes. Any trained contractor who is experienced with the material will be able to determine on the spot whether or not your home contains asbestos.
This is something we’ll be more than glad to do for you. Not only that, but we’ll remove and dispose of the materials for you as well!
When Is A Good Time To Test For Asbestos?
As was previously stated, asbestos usually doesn’t pose a threat until it is disturbed. Unfortunately, that does not mean that it can simply be left to fester. It will eventually break down and start releasing fibers into the air. Simply put, it’s not something you can put off forever; you’ll eventually need to tackle the job.
To be more correct, you’ll eventually need to seek out a professional to handle the removal for you. Simply looking at the material can be dangerous. Our highly experienced and capable teams of removers can handle everything from the identification of asbestos to disposal. All it takes is a phone call to get us on the property. We offer free in-home consultations and quotes for our services.
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