This page is designed to give you an introduction on the construction and building materials that have been known to contain asbestos. We have taken a look at the most common asbestos construction and building materials. There are far too many to list.
Each section gives you a brief introduction on the specific asbestos material and its properties. We then show you the main features to look out for which may help you identify these types of asbestos. You must remember that asbestos comes in all shapes, sizes and finishes and knowing what asbestos looks like is a very big subject.
This is just a basic introduction into what asbestos looks and only covers asbestos in a generally good condition. Knowing what asbestos looks like when it has been damaged and is in very small sizes or debris is much harder and needs an expert surveyor to positively make identification.
Remember, although having some knowledge to help you identify asbestos is an advantage, it is always the safest option and recommended that if you need to confirm the presence of asbestos for any reason that you get help from a professional UKAS accredited inspection body asbestos surveying company.
Asbestos surveying and knowing where to look and how to positively identify asbestos is a skilled profession. We are on hand for fast and free advice. Asbestos boards can vary with asbestos content and have been known to contain various asbestos fibre types. It can come in various colours such as pink. These colour variations are unusual. It is readily painted and may have an outer coloured finish. Many U. While many residential uses for asbestos were phased out, it remains legal in the U.
Asbestos exposure in your home can occur in different ways: DIY renovation, drilling through drywall or replacing an old pipe. The following scenarios describe how homeowners can expose themselves to asbestos at home.
While remodeling the attic of his s home, John found piles of brown pebble-like insulation. He decided to replace the existing insulation with new fiberglass insulation to save money in the winter months.
He scooped the loose insulation into some garbage bags and installed the new material. John had no idea that his attic was insulated with asbestos-containing vermiculite. By disturbing the material, he spread asbestos fibers in the air. John should have left the insulation alone and had it tested for asbestos before disturbing it. Ralph loves working on his Corvette Stingray. When his brakes started to squeal, Ralph wanted to replace them in his own garage.
After removing the rear tires, he saw the brake drums were covered in dust. He banged the sides with a hammer and blew off the dust with an air compressor. Because some brake components contain asbestos, spraying them with compressed air can release toxic fibers into the air. Ralph should have taken his car to the shop for service or wiped down the brake drums gently with a wet cloth.
She measured carefully and used a drill to install drywall anchors to keep the painting in place. She had no idea her home was built with asbestos-containing drywall. When she drilled through the wall to hang her painting, asbestos fibers from the drywall escaped into her living room. Erica should have known about the asbestos in her walls and left it alone. Herman just purchased a s fixer-upper in his home town, and his first project was upgrading the master bathroom. He decided to start by removing the vinyl floor tile.
He removed the existing tiles with a scraper and installed the new tile. Asbestos was a common ingredient in vinyl floor tiles in the s. Using a scraper to remove the old flooring can release dangerous asbestos fibers. Herman should have installed the new tile over it. Janine was tired of the popcorn texture on the ceilings in her home, so she decided to scrape it off and repaint with a smooth finish. After putting on eye protection and a dust mask, she grabbed her ladder and got to work.
After lots of scraping, a little sanding and some careful painting, she was finally done. Many textured ceiling finishes, including popcorn ceilings, have concealed asbestos. She should have hired a professional trained in safely removing asbestos hazards. Although it is the safest option, hiring asbestos abatement professionals can be expensive.
However, before removing the entire popcorn surface, homeowners can scrape off a sample and perform home testing with a store-bought kit. Removing even a small piece for testing still requires protection, such as eye protection and an N95 respirator. When fixing up the basement of his lates Victorian home, Brent noticed the insulation around some of the hot water pipes was starting to deteriorate.
Not wanting to lose any heat efficiency, he cut the old insulation with a utility knife and replaced it with new fiberglass insulation. Brent should have known that many older plumbing systems are wrapped in asbestos insulation. The insulation may have already posed an exposure risk before he started the project, but cutting the damaged material released even more fibers into the air. Brent should have hired an asbestos professional to seal the asbestos insulation. If the material appears damaged or future activities could disturb it, contact a trained and accredited asbestos professional.
Limit access to the area until a professional can confirm the presence of asbestos. The best way to avoid asbestos exposure is to be knowledgeable about the asbestos materials in your home, including their locations and current condition. The U. In fact, the typical size of their fibers is 0.
Asbestos is only visible if it is in groups or clumps; otherwise, the individual fibers are too small to see without a microscope. Because asbestos fibers are often microscopic, they can be airborne for days without being detected. Asbestos, in its raw form, is typically a soft mineral.
Chrysotile in particular, which accounts for about 98 percent of worldwide asbestos production in , is made up of soft, flexible fibers. Because it was so commonly used just decades ago, asbestos is unfortunately not a rare find in many older homes or buildings. Should a homeowner find asbestos during a renovation, there are steps they can take to ensure their safety and minimize exposure during the asbestos abatement process.
The first action to take after finding asbestos in your home is to call a professional. Asbestos repair is typically the preferred method for handling asbestos since it involves the least amount of risk. A professional will conduct a repair either through encapsulation coating with a sealant to prevent fibers from becoming airborne or enclosure covering with airtight material to prevent the release of fibers.
Asbestos removal is considered a last resort for most homeowners who find asbestos. The process of removing asbestos often causes fibers to become airborne within the home, which can pose serious health risks. However, trained professionals follow strict guidelines to ensure the safe removal of asbestos, including sealing off the area before disposing of it in a sealed dumpster or at an approved site.
Throughout the process, professionals wear protective gear and respirators, and the work area will have HEPA filters to clean the air. Additionally, these authorized individuals will handle cleanup and re-evaluate the space before homeowners return. Homeowners who discover asbestos in their homes should consult a licensed asbestos abatement professional to address the issue.
However, knowing how to visually identify asbestos is a good first step in making a home safer to live in. Disclosure: BobVila.
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