Spending the winter months planning a spring remodel? If so, Le-Squeegee has few tips about something that often goes unchecked. If you are remodeling a home built in the 1970s or earlier, it is imperative to be on the lookout for asbestos. Le-Squeegee has a few recommendations on building materials to be on the lookout for in older homes for asbestos containing materials.
Asbestos is a fibrous material utilized in building materials for resistance to heat and corrosion. It is now recognized as a serious hazard to human health and regulated strictly by government organizations.
Asbestos was used in textured wall surfacing, including popcorn ceilings. Before scraping off any popcorn ceilings or textured wall coverings, it is imperative to have it tested for asbestos.
Floor tiles are another common place for asbestos in an older home. 9x 9 and 12 x 12 are the most common sizes that contain asbestos. Also, the mastic used to adhere the tiles often contain asbestos.
Along with floor tiles, linoleum flooring can be an asbestos containing material. The mastic underneath linoleum and mastic underneath old carpet can be asbestos containing.
Asbestos can also be found in older homes in insulation. This includes insulation found in the walls and around pipes. Older boilers and tanks were also wrapped in asbestos insulation.
Wallboard and wallboard systems can be asbestos containing. The wallboard itself and the joint compound and tape are suspect materials for asbestos. It is important to have it tested before demolition.
There are also miscellaneous materials around an older home that can be asbestos containing. Roofing and siding, ceiling panels and tiles, lath and plaster and caulking are suspect materials.
Concerned about asbestos in an older home? Use a certified asbestos inspector to test materials before a home demo or remodeling project.
