DIY Remodeling of a House With Asbestos Is Dangerous

Before the 1970s, asbestos was one of the most popular materials used in homes. Many types of building products, from popcorn ceilings to floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe wrapping, and insulation, were made from this amazing material. It was fireproof, had a good R-factor when used for insulation, and was a durable material when used as flooring.

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The problem was that upon further inspection, it was found to cause serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. When it's health problems become apparent, it was immediately outlawed, but unfortunately, it was often used in most homes built before 1980. In fact, the U.S. is one of the few remaining industrialized nations without an asbestos ban. However, it is highly regulated; it is still used in hundreds of consumer products today, as long as it accounts for less than one percent of the product. 

Many homeowners will attempt to remodel their older homes. In many, if not all, of these older homes, the presence of asbestos can present a danger to anyone who tries to upgrade their house.

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While we always recommend that you have major elements of your home at least looked at, if not renovated, by a professional, if you're a hands-on person and are unsure if and where that may be asbestos, here are some tips for living in and remodeling an older home.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural material that like granite, or gold, is mined from the earth. It has natural properties that make it an excellent and inexpensive fire-retardant material. Because of its natural fire resistance, it was added to many building products to make them perform better. The peak use of asbestos was between the years 1940 and 1970. 

Asbestos was found to cause major health issues, and as a result, the EPA outlawed its use in 1989. However, the 5th circuit court of appeals overturned the ruling in 1991, and as a result, the use of asbestos is technically still legal in the U.S. However, it is much less common than it once was. 

Where You May Find Asbestos

There are many common areas in the home where asbestos can be found. These include, but are not limited to:

• Insulation

• Old cement siding

• drywall, sheetrock, wallboards

• Shingles

• 9” x 9” floor tiles

• Popcorn ceilings

• Glues used on flooring

• Pipe insulation

• Acoustic ceiling tiles

Some materials are much more dangerous than others. For example, vermiculite insulation, which is loose insulation that looks like small rocks. Much of this insulation came from a mine in Montana, and the vermiculite was contaminated with asbestos. This material can aerosolize easily, exposing workers or residents to serious negative health effects. 

To make matters worse, resting methods for vermiculite have proven unreliable, so it's best to assume that this product contains asbestos. Asbestos is dangerous when it aerosolizes, releasing tiny fibers into the air. These can damage tissue over time and lead to lung disease, asbestosis, cancer, and mesothelioma. 

How to Know If You Have Asbestos

If your house was built before 1980, you could assume that it has at least some asbestos. If your house is in good condition and you're not planning renovations, you're probably ok. However, the problems can arise if you are working on your home and inadvertently damage materials containing asbestos. You may want to perform an inspection before beginning any work to determine your risks.

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Asbestos is not something that you should deal with unless you are a professional. The best solution and only real way to be certain if asbestos is present in your home are analyzed by a specialist. They will have special training and certification and follow a thorough testing protocol, removing and raking samples from your home. Once you have the results of their analysis, you should know which materials contain asbestos. Most labs will also provide a protocol for safe removal and disposal of these materials. 

Know What to Look For

If you're remodeling your own home, it's helpful to know what to look fr. Asbestos is typically white or gray (sometimes blue) and comes in several different forms, including cement sheets, paper lining, and plasters. Knowing where it was commonly used, and its appearance is important to avoid potential problems caused by disturbing it.

However, it would be best if you did not go looking for it. Asbestos can be disturbed by the slightest touch, and even a single fiber entering your body can lead to mesothelioma.

Knowing where asbestos is typically used in your home and knowing what it looks like can help if you happen to notice it during DIY remodeling projects. It is one of the many problems that can be solved by a professional home remodeling expert. Once identified, your safest course of action is to hire a professional to remove the asbestos and safeguard your home. 

If you live in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area and are considering a remodeling project, give the award-winning design team at Degnan Design Build Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. We can help you make the right choices to meet your needs and fit any budget. Click here to schedule a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your project.