Many of us have old homes that we’re renovating. However, there are risks associated with renovating an older home. Asbestos is one of those risks. Before you start ripping out walls, make sure you consult with professionals about the best way to go about doing this. This is one of the best ways to approach a home renovation. Asbestos is a real danger when it comes to renovating older homes.
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Asbestos… Where Is It?
If you have an older home, you’d be surprised to find that asbestos is all around you. It’s in your insulation, vinyl floor tile, the glue and mastic used for tile, concrete and wood, linoleum, window caulking and glazing, and the list goes on. Most of us can’t imagine how many household items are filled with asbestos. Even your HVAC duct insulation and insulation have asbestos in them. It’s also found in siding and some paints. As you can see, asbestos is everywhere. That’s why it’s a good idea to exercise extreme caution before you start your home renovation. If you suspect an asbestos problem in your home, call a professional to handle the issue. A professional will know how to test for asbestos and will know what steps to take to remove the asbestos from your home before your renovation project gets underway.
Why Is Asbestos a Big Problem?
Some may wonder why asbestos is still a concern when it comes to home renovations. The answer is simple. Older homes are often filled with many sources of asbestos from the insulation to the floor tiles, and much more. A simple renovation isn’t so simple if you have a home that has many sources of dangerous asbestos. This is an issue because prolonged exposure to asbestos often leads to many illnesses, some are incurable. Mesothelioma is an incurable illness that can result from prolonged exposure to asbestos. The Mesothelioma Cancer Network works to help people who developed this disorder. We all understand that an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. This is why it’s best to test and treat asbestos in our home if you suspect that you may have an issue with asbestos. Asbestos can be everywhere, from the paint on your walls to your ceiling tiles and insulation. Hire a professional who can test your home and rid it of this dangerous substance.
Before you start renovating your old home, put safety first. Have your home checked for asbestos and have it removed if it’s found. This is a step that should take place if you have an older home, and plan on renovating it. Many older homes are filled with asbestos because this was a popular substance in both commercial and industrial applications. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. It’s best to prevent the possibility of developing an incurable disease like mesothelioma by being safe. However, if you have developed this disorder there are organizations that can help. Take the proper initial steps to ensure that you and your family will be safe before any wall is torn down or any floor tiles are removed.
