Asbestos Hazards in Your Home

Finding asbestos hazards in the Home

Asbestos hazards were once high since asbestos material was once used in manufacturing building materials.  These materials had been installed in homes and houses built from 1930 up to 1950.  Asbestos elements were used in roofing, tiles, flooring and siding materials.  For this reason asbestos may be found in your homes today.

Where to look and find asbestos hazard in your homes:

• There are roofing and siding shingles that are made of asbestos cement.

• Asbestos insulation was also used in houses built between 1930 and 1950.

• In textured paint and in patching compounds applied on wall and ceiling joints, since these compounds have used asbestos until it was banned in 1977.

• The artificial ashes and embers marketed for use in gas-fired fireplaces can also contain asbestos.

• Some stove-top pads or of older models have also some asbestos compounds.

• The floors and walls around a wood-burning stove are sometimes protected by asbestos paper, cement sheets or mill board.

• Manufacturers use asbestos material to produce vinyl adhesives, backing of vinyl sheet flooring and on vinyl floor tiles.

• Piping for hot water and steam showers in older houses can also be coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos tape or blanket.

• The coal and oil furnaces do have asbestos insulation.  Even its door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.

How to address asbestos hazard in the home:

Once you suspect that asbestos hazard is present in your home, do not panic. Basically, calm down and compose yourself to analyze the situation.  There are several options you can take before you do anything.

First of all, it is best to leave asbestos material in good condition alone and undisturbed.  Asbestos material in good condition will not release asbestos fibers airborne.  The danger begins when asbestos is disturbed and fibers are released airborne and inhaled into the lungs.

Secondly, you can check the suspected material regularly if it may actually contain asbestos.  Use protection gears such as asbestos gloves, etc.  Avoid touching it and simply look for signs of any damage such as abrasions, tears, or water damage.  The damaged material may release asbestos fibers airborne if you often disturb it by rubbing, hitting, or simply handling it, and if it is exposed to extreme vibration and air flow.

Thirdly, the best way to deal with the slightly damaged asbestos material is to limit access to the area and avoid disturbing the material.

Once the area is isolated, you can dispose of you worn protective asbestos gloves, removed ironing board covers and removed stove-top pads that contain asbestos safely to a box and seal it with ducking tape.

Check with Local Health, Environmental or other appropriate agencies to learn the proper handling and disposal procedures of asbestos material.

Lastly, when the asbestos material is severely disturbed and you are about to remodel your house, it is best to hire a professional to repair and remove the asbestos material from your home.  Hire an asbestos professional inspector before remodeling your home to find asbestos hazards especially if the house was built before 1977.