Asbestos is a fire-resistant material once used in the construction of many homes and buildings. While it is now widely known that asbestos is a hazardous substance that poses serious health risks, it may still be present in your home. But is asbestos testing really necessary? The short answer is yes.
There are various reasons your home may need asbestos testing done by professionals, including the following:
- You’ve Recently Purchased Your Home: Federal law does not require sellers to disclose whether their home contains asbestos. Additionally, a routine home inspection usually does not include asbestos testing, as experts are required for proper detection. If you’ve recently purchased your home, it’s wise to look into asbestos testing.
- There Are Signs of Damage: Unless your home has been tested for asbestos, there may still be traces of it in certain areas. Asbestos testing is recommended when homeowners find damaged pipes, tiles, insulation, or other spots where asbestos could be present.
- Your Home Contains Certain Materials: There are specific building materials that have been known to contain asbestos. If your home has popcorn ceilings, textured paints, vinyl floor tiles, or pipeline wraps, it’s a good idea to seek asbestos testing. A trained professional can look for these and other elements in your home and determine whether they contain asbestos.
- You Own an Older Home: Homes built prior to the 1980s pose a greater risk of containing asbestos, but even newer homes may have been built with asbestos-containing materials. The only way to know for sure whether there is asbestos lurking in your home is to have it professionally tested.
For more information on asbestos testing, contact our professionals at Double D Construction Services, Inc.