Here’s Why You Should Check for Asbestos in Your Home

Asbestos can be a complex problem for homeowners and cause a variety of issues not just in the house but also on your health. Getting a home inspection for asbestos damage is crucial, as if it goes unchecked, there can be serious ramifications for health and safety in the home. 

This article will look at what asbestos is and some of the potential risks associated with it for homeowners, buyers, and sellers when it comes to health and your home.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that are fibrous in nature. Before the nineties, it was a commonly used product found across roofing, cement sheets, insulation, electrical fittings, etc. The chances are that if your house was built in the 90s or prior, there might be something that contains asbestos in the building materials. Asbestos is harmful if it is released into the air, and you breathe them in. 

Suppose materials using asbestos remain in good condition and are not released into the air. In that case, you won’t need to worry, particularly if asbestos are used for cement sheets such as roofing. This is because the asbestos are so tightly packed that it reduces the chances of them being released, even if there is minor damage to the cement sheets being used. 

However, if your home was built in the 1980s or 1990s and prior, you will need to keep a closer eye, especially during home renovations. Extensive damage to building materials could lead to asbestos damage, so work with contractors beforehand to identify risks and make plans accordingly.

What happens when asbestos damage occurs?

Asbestos fibers are usually released if the material that contains them is disturbed. This might happen if you decide to do some home renovations and do some drilling or sawing that would significantly damage the materials and release asbestos into the air. That is when health problems occur and why vigilance is needed.

Asbestos fibers are incredibly hard to destroy, especially for human bodies. Breathing in asbestos can lead to long-term health conditions as the body cannot break down the fiber, causing the asbestos to stay permanently in the body. This can lead to conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and Mesothelioma if left unchecked. You cannot smell or detect asbestos with the naked eye, so if you suspect there might be some exposure, don’t delay getting an inspection done.

Removing asbestos-containing materials can be complicated and dangerous, as it requires expert care for removal, so it is not advised to remove it yourself. If you suspect there might be asbestos in your home, contact a professional immediately for a survey and inspection.

Asbestos can cause a lot of damage to your home, so if you suspect that there is an issue, getting a home inspection done can be very useful. A home inspection can catch these issues, enabling you to find someone to work with quickly to reduce asbestos damage before any severe health issues occur. To learn more about home inspections for asbestos damage, please contact us today.