Asbestos In Your Home - By: Scott Connolly

Normally, when we think of asbestos, we don't think of asbestos at home. Due to the lawyer advertisements on television, we might instead think of some factory where the asbestos is floating through the air like snow. However, any home built prior to the mid-1970's may have some asbestos present. Therefore it is important to have knowledge of asbestos in the home, since it is a known cause of a deadly cancer known as mesothelioma

Some of the products in homes that have been made with asbestos in the past include:

Floor tiles - these were often made with vinyl asbestos, asphalt and rubber. The bottom of vinyl sheet flooring and also adhesives made to install floor tiles contained some asbestos.

Boiler ducts and piping were often insulated with asbestos. This was in the form of tape or an asbestos blanket. These materials can release fibers if damaged.

Cement sheet, millboard and paper used as insulation around furnaces and wood burning stoves may contain asbestos and these can release fibers when these items are repaired or removed.

Soundproofing or decorative materials sprayed on walls often contained asbestos. Loose, wet, or damaged material can release fibers.

Gasket seals in furnaces and wood stoves.

Patching and joint compounds

Asbestos cement roofing, shingles and siding

Auto brake pads and linings, clutch facings and gaskets.

So what can be done with asbestos that may be found in the home? First of all, if it is in good condition, the best thing to do is to leave it alone. Products containing asbestos that are in good condition will typically not release fibers.

What you should do, however, is check these materials on a regular basis. Look for any kind of damage or general wear and tear. As mentioned, any time these materials are damaged, they can release fibers if they are bumped into, or disturbed in another way. If the material happens to be in an area that does not get a lot of high traffic, simply avoid that area if there is any minimal damage.

If however, you intend to remove any material containing asbestos, particularly if you are remodeling your home, it is best to hire a professional to do the job. Unfortunately, it is not really possible to identify materials containing asbestos unless they are labeled as such. If in doubt, hire a professional to obtain a sample of the material for testing. Never try to obtain a sample yourself, as this could release fibers.

If there happens to be asbestos present in the home, there are two solutions, if indeed it poses a hazard. First, it can be repaired by sealing or covering the material containing the asbestos. A sealant will bind the asbestos fibers together so that they cannot be released. Covering the material involves placing something over or around the material so that the fibers cannot be released. In both cases, the asbestos remains.

Removal of asbestos is usually far more costly than repair. This is because removal results in the greatest risk of the fibers being released. The best idea is to have the area in question examined, and if only a small repair is needed, then go ahead with that solution. If you are doing a large renovation project, or there is significant damage in the area where asbestos is suspected, then it is likely best to have it removed.

If you suspect there may be asbestos products in your home, and you have an idea where, follow these guidelines:

Try to avoid the areas where asbestos may be present as much as possible, especially if it is damaged.

Take every precaution possible to avoid damaging any material containing asbestos

Never repair or remove suspected materials on your own

Don't ever vacuum, dust or sweep material containing asbestos

Avoid tracking any asbestos materials through the house.

As mentioned, if there appears to be any area in the house where asbestos is suspected, and there is damage, contact a professional to get the best advice on how to handle the problem. Trying to repair or remove the asbestos material yourself could be dangerous both to you and your family. Improper repair or removal could actually increase the health risk. Otherwise, if there is no damage, just take the normal precautions and enjoy your home!

About the Author

Scott Connolly provides information and resources for families affected by Mesothelioma at http://www.asbestosandmesothelioma.com

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Scott-Connolly/184251

Additional Articles From - Home | Disease & illness | Mesothelioma