If you’ve heard of asbestos before, chances are, you’re aware that it’s something that can be found in houses that is potentially harmful and dangerous. However, this is as far as the average person’s knowledge of the subject will go. So, what actually is asbestos and why should you be concerned about it? Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals that are made up of heat-resistant fibres. It has been found to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other forms of cancer. Unfortunately, this building material was used in thousands of homes, commercial premises and other buildings around the world before we discovered how dangerous it can be. As you can imagine, finding out that you have asbestos in your house can be alarming and you’re going to want to determine whether your home has asbestos present sooner rather than later. Here’s some further information on asbestos, including how to identify it and how you can go about having asbestos removed if it is present in your home.
Testing for Asbestos
If your home was built before the 2000s, you could find that you have asbestos in your building. This is because the use of asbestos in construction was permitted prior to this date. Asbestos could potentially be present in your home’s cement outbuildings, floor tiles, pipe insulation, Artex ceilings and walls, roofing materials or flue pipes. Asbestos ore in its natural form can be a range of colours, from white, blue or brown. When asbestos is processed it breaks down into fluffy fibres that may look like pieces of fraying fabric. Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to determine whether something is asbestos or not through appearance alone. You’re going to need to send samples off for testing for confirmation.
Do You Need to Test for Asbestos?
In any building built before 2000, it is advisable to do a test DIY jobs were more common and less regulated, so there’s every chance that there could be asbestos present. For the sake of your health and well-being, it’s best to be aware of asbestos in your home so that it can be removed safely and effectively by professionals if it is within your insulation or other elements of your property. Prioritise your health and well-being and get a check sooner rather than later.
How to Be Sure Your Home Is Asbestos-Free
The only way to 100% ensure that your home is asbestos free is to have a professional check carried out. A qualified and trained professional will be able to confirm that your home is free of this substance, or can ensure that the necessary measures are taken to remove any existing asbestos from your property. A full inspection will be able to answer any questions you may have and provide confirmation.
Conclusion
As you can see, asbestos is a serious threat and should be looked into and dealt with by professionals. If you’d like to learn more about asbestos, or if you’d like a professional to inspect your home on your behalf, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team here.