If you have damage to your home or property that needs repair or looking to renovate or demolish, the first step is getting an asbestos inspection. Unfortunately, any home or property, especially those built before the 1990s, can contain this hazardous material.
Keep yourself, your family, and anyone that may enter your home or property safe by getting an inspection before moving forward with any construction. Continue reading to learn why you need an asbestos inspection, the risks of not getting an inspection done, and what is involved in the inspection process.
When Do I Need an Asbestos Inspection?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring carcinogenic mineral used in building materials and products. It is considered a hazardous material and can lead to serious health issues through exposure. Most residential and commercial properties built before the 90s contain asbestos throughout the structure. While most asbestos-containing materials are banned, new construction still utilizes this material in certain products.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does have specific regulations in place for commercial properties to protect employees from the risk of asbestos exposure. If you’re purchasing a home, sellers are not required to disclose if the home contains asbestos. It is advised not to disturb building materials that contain asbestos, but there are certain scenarios in which it is necessary to survey for asbestos.
- When you are buying or refinancing a commercial property
- When flooding or natural disaster damages the structure
- To obtain a building permit for demolition, renovation, or repair work
- To develop asbestos management guidelines
If you are a homeowner, even if a permit is not required for renovations, repairs, or demolition, you will need an asbestos inspection before breaking ground on any work to prevent exposure.
What Are the Risks of Not Doing an Asbestos Inspection?
While there are no federal laws for landlords of rental properties or owners/managers of commercial properties to disclose the presence of asbestos, there is a responsibility to provide habitable premises or a safe work environment. So, if a tenant or employee suspects asbestos exposure and notifies the owner, they are responsible for taking action.
The risks of not taking proper action and getting an asbestos inspection if you’re conducting renovations, demolitions, and repairs or if asbestos exposure has been reported include serious health risks and potential legal action. Asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer are just some of the health issues that can result from asbestos exposure.
If you’re a homeowner planning on any renovations or repairs that require any demolition, you’ll want to get an asbestos inspection to protect anyone in the home, including the renovation crew, from asbestos exposure.
Our experts will begin with a visual overview of the property. This process involves reviewing existing data on the property and understanding the intended project’s scope. Once they know the exact areas of investigation within the building or if the whole building requires inspection, they can identify and list all suspected materials.
Once a comprehensive list of suspected materials has been made, our experts can take some samples from all suspected items that will be disturbed. Samples are then sent to a certified laboratory for testing, and results are obtained within 7 to 10 days.
After our expert receives the laboratory results, the information is taken into a comprehensive report of all verified asbestos materials, including exact location, condition, and quantity. Additionally, all materials that tested negative for asbestos will be documented, including location, condition, and quantity. You will receive this report with our expert recommendations for removal.
