Towards the end of the 19th century, people used asbestos widely for many uses. Uses of asbestos in the house included ceilings and insulation to drywalling and roofing, especially here in New England, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
However, usage declined as the years went on. In 2002, the last US asbestos manufacturer ceased its operations. This was due to the danger that asbestos presented. As more reasons not to use asbestos arose, the usage of this material declined. Nowadays we make use of alternatives that are safer for our health.
Even though we don’t use asbestos much in 2022, there are still some buildings or houses that have them. Should you be concerned?
Yes!
In every aspect of our lives, safety is a priority. The moment you become concerned for the state of your home and health, you might want to look into asbestos testing services. As you read on, you’ll find a more detailed explanation of why you must test for asbestos and what signs to look out for.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of fibers. The reason why they were popular back towards the beginning of the 20th century was that they are resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. Construction companies then used it to reinforce their materials to make them stronger and more practical. However, this fibrous mineral can form dust that can get into your lungs.
With enough exposure, the dust gets trapped within your body. The fibers then cause inflammation, scarring, and illnesses such as mesothelioma. You can’t test for asbestos anytime you feel like there’s something wrong. However, the list below discusses more specific signs that tell you it’s time to test for asbestos.
1. Your Home is Old
Plenty of homes still have asbestos in their insulation, their ceilings, and their walls. After all, it was a common material in the construction of homes. If your house is a couple of decades old, chances are, you have asbestos. Even if you find out that your house is safe, you can have peace of mind knowing that you and your family are safe.
To see the extent of asbestos use in older homes, consider the areas you can find asbestos:
- Boilers and furnace ducts
- Flooring
- Insulation
- Decoration and paint
- Roofing and shingles
- Certain appliances
It’s very easy to miss a few of these spots when inspecting for asbestos yourself. By hiring professional asbestos services, you get assurance that all house features are examined.
2. You’re Planning to Renovate
Asbestos is quite durable. But, like all materials, time and disturbances can crumble it. If you’re planning to renovate your home, it’s best to test for asbestos. That way you can carry on with your renovations with no worries.
Sometimes finding asbestos in your house can cause unnecessary delays to your renovations. it would also be very unsafe for everyone, including the contractors.
3. You Want to Buy or Sell a House
When buying a house, it’s important to inspect it thoroughly. If you do this, you get to see what repairs will have to be done. The presence of asbestos can cause risk to your family. If the house is older, the structure of the house may also be questionable.
While asbestos inspections don’t cost too much, the cost of removing asbestos will be costly. By inspecting a house before moving in, you get a chance to plan your budget.
When selling a house, you can expect people to do some inspecting of their own. They will ask you questions about the state of your home. Failing to give them a straight answer can affect the number of buyers.
Make use of professional asbestos services. By doing so, you can reassure your future buyers of the safety of your home.
4. You’ve Experienced Damage to Your Home
In addition to renovations, natural disasters can cause asbestos in your home to crumble. The damages will need to be taken care of immediately. By getting a test for asbestos, you allow your contractors to stay safe. They can wear protective equipment and get the job done immediately.
You and your family will be able to leave temporarily while the damage is fixed. That way, you all remain safe.
5. You’re Not Feeling Well
Asbestos exposure takes years to take effect. When you suddenly feel symptoms such as shortness of breath or a persistent cough, it’s important to get checked. Other symptoms include fatigue, a tight chest, and in some serious cases weight loss.
You shouldn’t ignore the symptoms as these can develop into severe illnesses such as cancer and mesothelioma.
Take care of your health while the asbestos testing services detect where the material is in your house. By getting your house inspected, you prevent future inhabitants from being exposed.
How to Test for Asbestos
There are various methods to test asbestos. After all, different parts of the house may require different methods for testing.
It is also possible to DIY asbestos testing. There are several kits that you can buy online to test your house.
However, without the proper skill, you can unintentionally spread asbestos throughout your home.
That’s why it’s recommended to use professional asbestos testing services. Professionals detect asbestos in places you’d expect the least. They also have the experience, knowledge, and skill to expertly remove asbestos safely.
There are several ways to test for asbestos. We at Banner Environmental Services ensure that all possible aspects are evaluated.
Make Use of Asbestos Testing Services Today
Depending on your situation, we have a test for it.
Banner Environmental Services makes use of on-site asbestos testing to ensure that your house is safe. Air testing, popcorn ceiling tests, tile testing, and insulation testing are some of the other services we provide.
If you feel like your house still makes use of asbestos, or if you start to feel symptoms, give us a call. Don’t worry about the cost as we offer a free estimate before every project.
Contact us now, and book an appointment for one of our specialists to inspect your home.