New Home Buying Guide For Asbestos Testing
Purchasing a new home is an exciting, major life step. But, before you sign the paperwork, keep in mind that you’ll probably need asbestos testing and removal if your home was built or hasn’t been remodeled since before the 1980s. Asestos Project Management has put together a new home buying guide for asbestos testing.
Asbestos was present in many different kinds of building materials before that time. It was found to cause several serious health problems, like cancer and lung disease. When you’re buying a home, you want to be sure that you know about any asbestos present so you can get it removed before moving in.
Here are a few materials that are very likely to have asbestos, plus home buying tips that factor in asbestos abatement.
Materials That Contain Asbestos
Asbestos was used for many different home applications and products. The substance was found to help fortify building materials, like plastic and cement, and it’s thus found throughout old homes. Below is a list of materials you’ll want to get tested in your new home.
Asbestos Floor Tile
Older homes may contain vinyl floor tiles that contain asbestos. The substance was heat-resistant and strong and it helped floor tiles become viable, more affordable alternatives to wood flooring or ceramic tiles.
Asbestos Ceilings
Don’t forget to check the ceilings in your new house. Popcorn ceilings, which were very common back between the 1950s and 1980s, would often contain a lot of asbestos. Make sure you test thoroughly before trying to alter these ceilings yourself. Other types of ceiling materials may include asbestos, like tiles, so don’t overlook testing if you are remodeling.
Asbestos Insulation
Several types of insulation used back in the day contain asbestos. Pipes were often coated with asbestos material and may have asbestos within pipe wrapping that made them fireproof. Materials in other types of home insulation may contain asbestos, including batt insulation, blue asbestos, or vermiculite.
Asbestos Roofing and Siding
It was common for cement siding to contain asbestos, in addition to cement roofing and window putty on the side of homes. When doing projects, also watch out for flashing materials, siding adhesives, and roofing shingles, which could all contain asbestos.
New Home Buying Guide for Asbestos
So, you may be aware that your home is old enough to have an asbestos problem. You’re probably wondering how this will factor into your home purchasing decisions. To help, here are a few frequently asked questions about asbestos abatement and new home buying guide for asbestos testing.
Why Is There Asbestos in My Home If It’s Harmful?
Before the 1980s, it wasn’t known that asbestos causes health problems like cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other lung disorders. A lot of materials used in home construction before that time contains asbestos.
Does Insurance Cover Asbestos Removal?
Insurance typically doesn’t cover asbestos removal You should plan to negotiate the price of asbestos testing and removal into your final purchase price. Otherwise, you may be faced with an expensive surprise after closing. That’s why it’s crucial you follow the new home buying asbestos testing guide
Do I Need Asbestos Testing If I’m Remodeling?
Maybe you’ve already got projects planned for your new home. If your house was built before the 1980s, or it hasn’t been redone since then, it’s a good idea to get an at-home test for asbestos before you get started — especially when dealing with the materials listed above.
Should I Avoid Buying a New Home With Asbestos?
Understanding the risks of asbestos can help you make the best decision when buying a home. Even though there are health risks if the asbestos issue isn’t dealt with, there are some pros to buying an older home, as well.
You could be able to negotiate a lower price if you find asbestos. And, as long as asbestos materials are undisturbed and are in good condition, they don’t pose much of a risk to you when living in the home. It’s only a problem when they get damaged or are removed during remodeling.
How Asbestos Project Management Can Help
When you need help with asbestos abatement for your new home, turn to the experts at Asbestos Project Management. We assist with asbestos testing and removal for residential and commercial properties and can help you get things under control in your new home. We also provide asbestos at-home testing to give you fast and reliable results.
Asbestos Project Management is a locally owned, family-run business, and we’ve been in operation since 1984. Our priority is to ensure your family is safe from asbestos in the home, and we’ll help you get any asbestos issues addressed promptly.
Contact Asbestos Project Management for a free estimate.
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