im am getting into home rehab..i seen a show called flip this house and they ran into a problem with ASBESTOS but did not get into detail on what they saw ....what are some obvious signs that will help determine if ASBESTOS is present when looking at possible rehabs.....thanks people
2007-01-31 10:44:50 · 11 answers · asked by jay 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
No one can tell you that you have asbestos without testing the material, you must test each time, and each different material. It would be worth your while to check out the license requirements and do the work yourself, if you want to maximize your profits. The course in my state was not overly involved and the equipment is basic, it ain't rocket science, but safety is paramount. Disposal must be followed to the letter. The disease is Mesothelioma, it takes you out pronto, but usually takes 20 or 30 years to appear. The stuff was always flying around us 20 years ago and nobody paid attention, this is one set of regulations that has saved lives.
2007-01-31 11:53:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Asbestos was typically used for insulation, like on old steam pipes or around the furnace. It is a white, fibrous looking mineral. The problem is that if you poke around looking for it that, poking can break it loose into asbestos dust in the air. That can be deadly if inhaled (cause of lung cancer). Once it is found it needs to be removed by expensive licensed professionals who wear breathing apparatus and collect all of the loose asbestos into seal-able bags for disposal in pricey hazardous waste certified dump sites.
Start by asking the sellers if there is any asbestos anywhere in the house. If they say yes run out the door. If they say no then look carefully at what insulation is there (particularly at elbow joints on heating pipes which might have it showing) and get a signed paper from them that if anything is found they will pay for the removal costs. If they say no then again that is a clue to run away.
Always be careful with older homes that might contain asbestos because once found you are in for costly removal costs if you own the house.
2007-01-31 21:21:00 · answer #2 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you take Fred's answer, Brian's examples of asbestos containing materials and Champ's info about Mesothelioma you would have exactly one complete answer.
Of course there are many different applications where asbestos was used, it was a near perfect product except for that little lung problem. If the house was built prior to the late 70's then there is a good chance you have Asbestos somewhere in the house.
2007-01-31 20:41:39 · answer #3 · answered by that_greedo_guy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fred A is on the right track. If it is a older popcorn ceiling, if the floor tiles are 9"x9" and date back to the seventies or earlier, Or if the floor mastic is black, it very possibly has asbestos. Have it checked and don't stir it up at all. If it does contain asbestos you need to be licensed to abate it. It is expensive but worth it. Any asbestos that is removed has to go to a hazardous waste landfill and be accounted for. Also look up mesothemia on the web. I am not sure if I got the mesothemia spelling right but it is not what anybody wants. So be carefull.
2007-01-31 19:29:28 · answer #4 · answered by brian d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is more what materials are likely to have asbestos. Popcorn ceilings were already mentioned. Old vinyl tile, and the adhesives used to install it. Heating duct insulation, it looks like crumbly paper on the ducts or joints. Those are probably the big ones. Unfortunately they put asbestos anything you can think of.
The ones I mentioned are seen commonly in residential construction.
2007-02-01 05:44:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In older homes, you can find asbestos in exterior shingle, interior floors & floor adhesives, furnace& steampipe wrapping.
There is a catch.
Almost definitely not a DIY project.
Some locales may still allow you to leave it in place undisturbed by going over it w/ new flooring or siding & encapsulating it on pipes.
A licensed contractor is required to remove & dispose of hazardous materials.
Heavy fines for improper disposal.
If rehab means removal of suspect material, call in a contractor to be sure and get evaluation & reading on local codes.
If he does'nt find any, you're ahead of the game & just out a few bucks.
Good luck
2007-01-31 21:42:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the most commonly used materials in the construction of houses in the last century was asbestos. This naturally occurring mineral was preferred due to its heat retardant qualities. Asbestos was used in areas where there was a fire threat such as fireplaces and near electrical installations so as to contain any fire threat. This wide range use of asbestos in houses continued until 1970 when it was banned from commercial and residential purposes.
http://learn.jobisite.com/how-to-identify-asbestos-in-houses/
2013-12-10 23:29:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many companies that will take a sample of your questionable material and tell you if you have asbestos or not. There is also a kit that you can buy at either Home Depot or Lowes that will test it as well.
2007-01-31 18:55:35 · answer #8 · answered by Fred A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are people who are trained and have the tools to check for asbestos. You'll want to get in contact with such specialists.
2007-01-31 21:39:28 · answer #9 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
our house was built in 1958. my husband was going to remove the tiles in the basement on the floor. the home inspector told him to just leave them because of the asbestos. we just filled in the uneven areas and tiled over it. looks great. good luck
2007-01-31 21:12:39 · answer #10 · answered by kellistines 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋