Beautiful vintage houses pose more concerns than simply out-of-date curtains and the occasional angry spirit: mere decades ago, most buildings were built with materials that contained the mineral called asbestos- and that mineral still lurks around in many of those buildings. If your home was built in the 1980s or earlier, it’s very likely that the building used asbestos in its construction… and that can have pretty scary effects. Luckily, Environmental Inspections Group is here to help you hunt down any unwelcome guests.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the name given to a certain group of minerals that are widely used in the construction of many things in America, from home construction to paints and adhesives, to automobile components like brake pads. The minerals enhance many aspects of a thing’s effectiveness: they improved insulation capabilities, fireproofing abilities, and a number of other elements of various products and industries. Understandably, the minerals were eventually used in the manufacturing process of many items- but its use in the construction industry would soon create some problems that many people are still dealing with today.
Why Is Asbestos No Longer Used?
Unfortunately, in the 1970s, experts began to link asbestos to health risks and eventually even the development of cancer. As it turns out, when those asbestos minerals are disturbed, they can release harmful chemicals and fibers into the air that humans are then in danger of breathing in. After that, the use of asbestos began to decline, and in 1989, the development of new uses for the material was forbidden.
To this day, most buildings sit harboring the dangerous material. Since asbestos is only a real danger after it has been disturbed and its removal will often involve a lengthy and expensive restoration, buildings don’t need to take drastic measures to eradicate it until it poses a threat. It’s important to have any home or commercial building that you own tested consistently to ensure that you can stay on top of any dormant risk before it becomes a problem.
What To Do If Your Home Is At Risk
It’s hard to be prepared for a threat that you can’t physically see. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the dangers as well as what to do if you think you might need some help. In regards to all buildings built prior to 1990, it’s a good idea to have your building inspected frequently for any harmful presence. If you know your home contains asbestos, it’s even more important for you to keep your inspections consistent. Remember, this is not something that an amateur can tackle on their own. Like any good old-fashioned haunting, you’ll always need to call in a professional to take care of any big risks like asbestos.
Call Environmental Inspections Group For An Asbestos Exorcism
For a professional’s help dealing with asbestos in your home, call Environmental Inspections Group. We can run expert tests to check for the substance. We also offer asbestos removal services so you can go back to enjoying your home in peace.