Asbestos Testing
Protect your family, health, and home from the dangers of asbestos with expert inspections from Professional Building Inspectors.
Prior to the 1970's many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. If you think your home or workplace may have asbestos, don't panic! Usually it is best to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone. Generally, material in good condition will not release asbestos fiber. There is little danger unless fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs.
According to the EPA, if asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materials are present by contacting our office for an inspection.
Professional Building Inspectors, Inc. offers asbestos testing by certified asbestos inspectors. They will take samples of suspected material and send them to an independent, third party lab for analysis.
Elevated levels of asbestos can occur in homes where asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed. The following are areas where asbestos hazards may be found in the home:
- Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
- Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.
- Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
- Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
- Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.
- Walls and floors around wood burning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
- Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
- Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
- Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.
If we determine that your home has asbestos containing material and you need to remove or clean up asbestos, use a professionally trained contractor.
For more information on asbestos testing, contact our office for details.