The Possible Dangers of Asbestos in Homes

 

Asbestos and Home Inspections

Asbestos.com and the Mesothelioma Center reached out to me to write a post dealing with asbestos, it’s health implications, and it’s removal. Although the State of Tennessee Standards of Practice for Home Inspections do not require licensed home inspectors to report on the presence of asbestos, ethically I believe most home inspectors will alert you to it’s presumed presence if found. I can assure you if I see visible signs of it during my inspections, I’m going to recommend further evaluation of the material by an environmental contractor.

The form of asbestos most commonly seen in homes is comprised of Chrysotile, a member of the Serpentine class of Asbestos. This form of asbestos was used in multiple building materials starting at the end of the 19th century. These materials included, but are not limited to; transite masonry siding, water pipe insulation, HVAC duct and boot connectors, tapes, vinyl floor tiles, attic insulation (zonolite), caulking, popcorn ceilings (acoustical ceilings), etc.

These materials, if in an undisturbed and intact state, are widely believed to not pose a health hazard. But, it’s when these materials are damaged and/or deteriorating (friable) that health implications need need to be considered. Due to Asbestos fibers size at .1 microns thick or 18,000 times thinner than a human hair, these fibers can be easily inhaled. Inhalation of Asbestos fibers are related to lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

If you discover a material that may contain Asbestos and the material is in a friable state, contacting an environmental professional is a must. But contacting an environmental professional is just as important if you plan on remodeling an older home. If your home was built prior to 1986, any textured ceiling material should not be altered or removed without first having a professional test it for the presence of asbestos. And this goes for multiple other remodels that can take place in a home, including but not limited to; removing old vinyl floor tiles, replacing older water distribution pipes that may be insulated, replacing attic insulation, etc.

Helpful Links

More information can be found at this link: https://www.asbestos.com/abatement-guide/

Photo courtesy of: By Unknown – http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/subcommittees/emr/usgsweb/photogallery/ , see also webarchive – resourcescommittee.house.gov, Asbestos+3_jpg.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91724

 

KC Bartley

Professional Home Inspections

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2 Responses

  1. It’s very worrying to learn that getting exposed to asbestos can lead to asbestosis and lung cancer, which are serious health implications. I have a friend who recently moved into his new countryside home, and I believe that this information can help keep his home safe from harm. I’ll go ahead and recommend that he contact an asbestos removal expert that can inspect his home for this material.

  2. Thank you for explaining how these materials are safe if they are undisturbed and intact, but can pose problems and become a hazard if they are decaying or damaged. My friend has been really worried about starting her renovation project on her new home since she is so worried about asbestos in her home. I’ll be sure to mention this to her and maybe it will give her a push to get her home checked and cleared of any asbestos if there is any.

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KC Bartley Home Inspector
KC Bartley

Owner and Certified Master Inspector ©

KC Bartley is a follower of Christ, a husband, and a father to two beautiful daughters (Hailey, age 14, and Taylor, age 10). He is passionate about the Home Inspection industry and has been involved in construction, remodeling, and home inspections for over 27 years.