Why You Need An Asbestos Inspection Before You Remodel An Older Home And How It's Done
Posted on: 13 May 2022
When you decide to remodel an old home, you need to keep in mind that asbestos was once a popular building material. It could be in the ceiling, floor, roof, siding, insulation, window glazing, and old paint to name a few places asbestos is found.
By knocking out a wall or sanding surfaces, you can release asbestos fibers in the air and create a health hazard in your home. It's a good idea, and may even be a requirement in your area, to have an asbestos inspection done before you begin renovations. Here's why an asbestos inspection is necessary and a look at how it's done.
Why You Need An Asbestos Inspection
You need to know before you start demolition if asbestos is present. Asbestos isn't always a hazard as long as the material it's in is intact and in good shape. Asbestos becomes a danger when the material it's in is disturbed so the fibers float into the air.
Breathing in asbestos fibers is dangerous, and it can lead to lung cancer. You could inadvertently fill the home with asbestos fibers during your renovation. If you know asbestos is present in a material such as flooring, you can seal the area and cover it rather than ripping the flooring out. By knowing the results of an asbestos inspection, you know how to proceed with your renovations.
How An Asbestos Inspection Is Done
Asbestos testing starts with a visual inspection of your home and the area where you'll be doing your renovations. It's not always possible to know what materials contain asbestos, so your inspector chooses materials that commonly have asbestos for testing. For instance, popcorn ceilings usually contain asbestos. If the inspector thinks a material contains asbestos, they need to take samples to be tested in a lab.
Taking samples can release fibers, so the inspector works carefully and uses safety measures. They work as if the material contains asbestos so they operate safely. The samples are then sent to the lab to be tested, and you'll get the results in several days.
What The Inspection Reveals
The inspector should provide you with a detailed report that includes the test results and a visual inspection report on the condition of the material that contains asbestos. The test results should tell if a material has asbestos and how much it has. This information can be used by an asbestos contractor so they can determine how to deal with the asbestos that's found, and the inspection results can be given to local authorities to prove you had an asbestos inspection in accordance with local codes.
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