It wasn’t too many years ago that asbestos was used in a myriad of home and commercial building products. You could find it in everything from floor tiles to exterior cement siding to ceiling insulation. Asbestos was touted for its fire-resistant properties. However, America’s love affair with asbestos ended abruptly in the early 1970s when it was found that fibers loosed during construction with asbestos materials contributed to a number of breathing disorders. In 1979, asbestos building materials were banned from use in the United States. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a large number of existing homes that still have asbestos materials. In fact, if your home was built prior to 1980, it’s likely that it contains material made from asbestos.
The good news is that asbestos in your home isn’t a danger unless that area is disturbed, such as during a remodeling or demolition project. If you live in an older home, it’s wise to enlist the services of a good asbestos testing company before you embark on your project.
What is asbestos testing?
Asbestos testing helps you determine whether your home contains building materials that contain asbestos. It’s difficult, if not impossible, for the average homeowner to determine this just by looking at the site. Many harmless materials closely resemble asbestos. A good testing team has the equipment and experience to accurately gauge your asbestos risk. Common asbestos building materials included sheet vinyl, popcorn ceiling material, insulation and exterior cement tile siding, just to name a few.
College Park Maryland asbestos testing
Although it may be tempting to try to ascertain your home’s asbestos exposure yourself, asbestos testing isn’t well suited as a do-it-yourself project. Many other materials look like those made with asbestos and it can be hard to tell the difference if you don’t have experience or training in the field. In fact, without that necessary training and equipment, asbestos testing can actually be dangerous since you are possibly disturbing asbestos in your home and causing it to enter the air you breathe. Hiring a professional asbestos testing team help you be sure that your project is being handled safely and professionally. To learn more about our College Park, Maryland asbestos testing services, contact Asbestos Removal Now