How Worried Should You Be About Asbestos In Your Attic?

Vermiculite Insulation Asbestos graphic

While asbestos was a very popular building material for most of the twentieth century, advances in science began showing more and more evidence of the risks and dangers it posed. Most older homes can still contain asbestos, from vermiculite insulation and tiling to pipe wrap and duct tape.

Understanding where asbestos can be found in your older home, and its original use can help you know whether or not it poses a risk to your health and the health of your family. An attic services company like Attic Projects can help you evaluate the risk asbestos may pose.

Just how dangerous is asbestos?

Well, for those who don’t know, asbestos are tiny fibers that were popular in the 1900s because of their fireproofing abilities. It began gaining popularity during the Industrial age due to its resistance to water, chemicals, and electricity. Then when WWII happened, the asbestos industry boomed, along with the health risks.

Asbestos can get trapped in your lungs just by breathing dust that is released by materials containing them. Asbestos has been known to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers. Asbestosis is a chronic, non-cancerous upper respiratory disease. It is caused by asbestos being trapped in the lungs and causing scarring. 

Although you need a lot of exposure in order to feel the real health concerns of asbestos, it is best to have them removed as soon as possible. Because you never know what happened in your attic/home prior to purchasing. The previous owners could have drilled holes or covered the walls/insulation that could have released the asbestos into the air.

Contact an Attic Projects professional immediately if you believe there could be asbestos in your home.

Where can I find asbestos in my older home?

The first place you’ll want to check for asbestos in your older home is in the attic. Older insulation is one of the primary sources of asbestos in the house. By taking a careful look at the kind of insulation you have, you’ll be able to know if it needs replacement. Keep in mind that removing old asbestos-based insulation is a hazardous task and should be undertaken only by an attic services professional.

Another place to check for asbestos in your attic is to see if there is old asbestos duct tape or pipe wrapping on your HVAC and plumbing systems. Older tapes and sealants could be asbestos-based, and while not as dangerous to your health as asbestos insulation, you’ll want to make sure that it isn’t fraying or otherwise releasing particles into the air.

The roofing and siding in older homes often contain asbestos, so you’ll want to check to make sure they are safe as well. Finally, take a look at any old floor tiling to see if they are asbestos-based.

How do I get rid of asbestos in my home?

Asbestos is considered very dangerous to your health, so it needs to be handled carefully and by an attic services professional. The primary danger from asbestos is if it becomes airborne, it will find its way into your lungs. If you find asbestos in your home, the first rule is to leave it alone!

If you leave it undisturbed until a professional can come in and make an assessment, you won’t risk having particles seep into the air. Often a professional will recommend leaving it in place if it would be difficult to remove safely or even sealing it up in place. If removal is the only option, the attic services professional will work with you to create a detailed mitigation plan that will result in the safe removal of the asbestos.

How do I know if I need help?

When it comes to asbestos, the short answer is that you always need help! Asbestos is extremely dangerous to your health, so it’s best to know the facts from a professional. Even if they find some asbestos lingering in your older home, the pro knows exactly how to handle it, whether by removing it or sealing it safely in place.

Attic Projects Company

If you suspect you have asbestos in your home, give us a call right away! We’ll come out, perform a thorough inspection, and make sure your home is as safe as possible. Even if you don’t think there is asbestos in your home, and we find something that could be asbestos while conducting an inspection on your home, we will take a sample and let you know as soon as possible. Your safety is our number one priority. 


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