While you may be excited about your home renovation project, it’s important to be prepared with the knowledge and tools you need before getting started.
One key piece of information to know before beginning a project is whether or not your home has asbestos in it. If you begin your project without knowing the answer, you can face serious consequences later on.
What Even Is Asbestos?
You may have heard that disturbing asbestos in your home is bad, but why is that? What even is asbestos?
Before the 1980s, asbestos was a popular material used to build homes. It is present in many building materials, such as insulation, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and drywall.
This naturally occurring mineral fiber can cause significant health problems if inhaled, such as cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. These fibers are airborne when disturbed, so it’s important to test for asbestos before beginning any renovations or demolitions.
The disturbance caused by the movement of building materials can release asbestos fibers into the air, making your home improvement project a hazardous work environment.
Why Should I Test for Asbestos Before a Renovation or Demolition?
1. Protect Yourself from Health Hazards
Getting an asbestos test before beginning your home renovation can protect you from serious health problems in the long run.
If you inhale asbestos, you risk developing dangerous health conditions like cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
By using proper cautionary measures before your project, you may save yourself from unwanted health complications.
2. Ensure Air Quality
Since asbestos poses a risk if inhaled, ensuring clean air quality is of the utmost importance. This not only protects you but also any contractors working on the project.
The EPA recognizes asbestos as an air pollutant, so keep your home pollutant-free by putting the proper protections in place before you renovate or demolish.
3. Get Peace of Mind
Major renovations or demolition are already stressful projects. But you can make them slightly less stressful by knowing what materials you’re dealing with ahead of time.
Testing for asbestos, even in a newer house, can give you peace of mind throughout the entire project.
It will also put your contractors at ease since they know they’re coming into a safe working environment.
Even if you’re doing the project yourself, you should still test before starting. Many household materials may contain asbestos, such as roofing, flooring, and drywall.
4. Government Compliance
If you plan to renovate or demolish a public or commercial building, you likely have to survey the building for asbestos before starting your project.
In Texas, commercial and public building renovations or demolitions must perform a survey and notify the Texas Department of State Health Services before starting the project.
While single private residences are exempt from this, it is still recommended to perform an asbestos test before a major project.
Check your local and state governments for more information or requirements.
Asbestos Testing from ERI Consulting
Proper preparation for your renovation or demolition project is the key to making everything run smoothly. That’s why testing for asbestos before you begin can protect your safety, ensure you’re compliant, and give you peace of mind.
At ERI Consulting, we’re dedicated to protecting your health and property from asbestos with comprehensive testing services.
We evaluate your indoor air quality, collect and analyze samples, and conduct thorough inspections to test for any asbestos fibers on your property.
Our highly trained and certified asbestos technicians utilize the latest techniques and adhere to strict quality control standards to deliver reliable, accurate results.
Help your project run smoothly by contacting ERI Consulting for asbestos testing today.
