What to Know About Asbestos
Home renovations can be exciting and dangerous at the same time, especially if a homeowner lacks the knows required for avoiding dangerous mistakes. For example, asbestos exposure is the type that a homeowner might not know about, and the effects of it can appear years down the line. If you are prepared and getting ready to renovate an old house, no action should be taken until your house has been inspected for the presence of asbestos. As you are knocking out walls and removing various building materials, asbestos can unknowingly be released into the air. If you need more information about asbestos before getting your home tested for it, the information below is helpful.
1. What an Asbestos Test Involves
When your home is tested for asbestos, make sure it is done by an asbestos inspection service due to the risks involved. A professional will come to your house to collect samples of materials that will be handled during the renovation project. The samples will be gathered together and taken to a laboratory to be tested for asbestos. A lab technician will examine the samples under a microscope to inspect them for asbestos. If they find asbestos, you will be notified and told which steps should be taken next before beginning the renovation project.
2. Materials That Might Contain Asbestos
Various materials were used in the construction of older homes that contained asbestos. For example, the drywall in an old house might contain asbestos, and it can quickly be released into the air when disturbed during a renovation project. Older homes were commonly designed with what is known as popcorn ceilings, and the presence of asbestos can cause them to turn into powder when barely touched. Another material of concern is insulation, as the types such as vermiculite often contained asbestos. Flooring materials and ceiling tiles can contain asbestos as well, so make sure a professional is hired so every material that's a potential risk will be inspected.
3. Health Concerns of Asbestos
The scary thing about asbestos exposure is that it can cause a condition that is called mesothelioma, which is a type of lung cancer. Asbestos exposure can cause a tumor to develop on the lining of the lungs that makes it difficult to breathe. The disease can be treated depending on how much it has progressed and when it is detected. Asbestos can cause other types of cancer as well, but mesothelioma is the most common.