Here Is What You Need To Know If You Are Buying A Property That Contains Asbestos

Buying a home that contains asbestos can sometimes be a huge gamble, especially if you are purchasing an older home as it is harder to tell if the property contains asbestos in it. According to estimates, about 98 percent of homes built before 1976 have asbestos in them.

Asbestos: What is it?

Asbestos is a material made using a blend of natural, fibrous minerals that are fire, water, electricity, and heat resistant. Asbestos was widely used in construction materials all over the world for over four decades (from the mid-’40s all through to the mid-’80s.) Its use in the industrial and commercial industries was discontinued after it was studies found that it potentially caused a rare type of cancer known as Mesothelioma.

Why Is it So Harmful?

In our previous post, we looked at the severe health risks exposure to asbestos poses on humans. The material contains microscopic fibers that can become airborne. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the victim’s lungs, where, over time, they cause severe inflammation.

With so many buildings in America containing asbestos, it’s essential that you evaluate the potential health risks and costs of having the material removed before buying a home constructed using materials that contain asbestos.

How Can One Know If Their Property Contains Asbestos?

For you to know if your property contains asbestos, several crucial tests have to be performed. So, before you go ahead and buy a property, make sure that you hire the services of a professional and have them conduct an asbestos evaluation. These evaluations provide in-depth overviews of all areas of concern and help confirm if the material’s fibers are present and the steps that need to be taken for the material to be removed. The good thing is that most asbestos removal specialists provide free quotes that highlight the potential costs of removing and disposing of the material.

Steps To Take If Your Property Contains Asbestos

If your property contains asbestos, the best thing to do is to contract the services of a professional asbestos removal company and have them handle the removal and disposal of the material for you. This way, you avoid putting yourself at the risk of exposure while at the same time, you avoid footing the cost of having the material disposed of. If you opt to remove asbestos by yourself, you’ll have to check the laws enforced by your state concerning asbestos handling, removal, and disposal to ensure you abide by the set requirements.

If, during the initial evaluation, it is found that the asbestos in your property is friable, make sure that person or entity selling you the property removes the material before you reach a settlement or have them reduce the property’s sale price.

Are you looking to buy a property in the DFW Metroplex area but aren’t sure if it contains asbestos? Call Precision Environmental Services today and request a property inspection as well as an estimate of how much it will cost you to have the material removed.