The promise of refreshing your living spaces and adding value to your property is exciting when renovating your home! However, amidst the excitement, there is a hidden danger many homeowners overlook during renovations: asbestos. Once hailed as a miracle material for its heat resistance and durability, asbestos now stands as a notorious health hazard.
Before exploring how asbestos can affect home renovations, it’s important to understand why it poses such a threat. “Asbestos” refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Due to its heat resistant and durable properties, asbestos found widespread use in various construction materials, including insulation, roofing, flooring, and more. Learn more about asbestos and what to look out for here.
When asbestos is disturbed, such as during renovations or demolitions, the asbestos fibers can become airborne. Inhaling these fibers poses severe health risks, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. What makes asbestos particularly insidious is its latency period; asbestos related symptoms may not manifest until years or even decades after exposure, making it challenging to detect and treat effectively.
Home renovations often include construction projects that disturb asbestos-containing materials. Whether you’re drilling into walls, removing old insulation, or replacing flooring, these tasks can inadvertently release asbestos fibers into the air, posing a threat to your family and construction crews. Many older homes built before the 1980s are more likely to contain asbestos in various forms, adding an extra layer of complexity and risk to renovation projects.
We offer a TEM Test, formally known as a Transition Electron Microscopy Test. A TEM test is a type of Air Test that specifically checks for asbestos fibers floating around in the air. When you encounter asbestos during a home renovation a TEM Test will confirm whether the air in your home is contaminated with asbestos fibers. As mentioned above, asbestos is not a joke. If you’re concerned about asbestos during your renovation project or have experienced an asbestos scare, please contact us.
Common Asbestos Accidents
Accidents during home renovations can trigger asbestos in various ways, here are a few common scenarios.
Unforeseen Discovery: Many homeowners embark on renovation projects unaware of the presence of asbestos in their homes. It’s not until they accidentally disturb asbestos-containing materials that they realize the danger.
DIY Disasters: DIY enthusiasts unknowingly expose themselves to asbestos hazards by attempting to tackle renovation tasks without proper knowledge or precautions. From sanding old surfaces to demolishing structures, amateur renovation efforts can inadvertently release asbestos fibers.
Accidents Happen: Even with proper precaution and care, it’s not always possible to prevent asbestos related accidents from happening during renovation projects.
Mitigation Strategies
Asbestos Testing: If you’re concerned about asbestos in your home, consider scheduling a test before, during, or after construction. Especially in older homes, it’s crucial to be knowledgeable about any hidden dangers. Our team at Great Environmental can help you with asbestos testing, whether you need a TEM Test or a different recommended test for your situation, our professionals will help you make informed decisions.
Safe Handling Practices: When asbestos-containing materials are identified, our team at Great Environmental will help you find the best mitigation strategy to safely remove asbestos from your home, minimizing the risk of fiber release and exposure. Do not remove asbestos by yourself.
Education and Awareness: Homeowners should educate themselves on the dangers of asbestos and the importance of safe asbestos renovation practices.
Home renovations are stressful enough, don’t add asbestos scares onto your list of worries. Our team will provide peace of mind for you and your family. Are you worried about asbestos in your home?