Older Homes Often Have Asbestos-Contaminated Materials
In the Los Angeles area, there are many homes that were built in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s. Unfortunately, these are all years in which materials were made up of asbestos. If you live in a home that was built pre-1980 and are considering a remodel, then you may want to get some expert advice or hire a contractor that understands your needs at hand or one who is certified in asbestos abatement or removal.
At the Twin Home Experts, we began to get asbestos-certified not only to protect ourselves and our employees, but also our customers’ most valuable assets: their homes. We had a customer in Santa Monica recently that wanted us to remove an old cement pipe that was preventing her from commencing the remodel.
It is absolutely vital that homeowners take extra precautions when it comes renovating their homes. This is because you want to prevent not only having to deal with asbestos problems, but mold and lead cross-contamination, which can lead to serious health issues.
To avoid disturbing asbestos-containing materials, you must know where they are before you begin renovations:
1. Water heater and furnace exhaust pipes
2. Inside of wall board or popcorn ceilings
3. Floor tiles
4. Pipe insulation
5. Sprayed coatings
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a strong, fire-resistant mineral fibre. In the past, asbestos was used as insulation against heat or noise and for fire protection. It was also added to materials such as cement and plaster to give them more structural strength.
Until the early 1980s, many products containing asbestos were used in home construction. Some products, such as asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation, were used in homes right up until the late 1980s.
Well, we sure hope that this blog provided some good information. Here, at the Twin Home Experts, we love educating. If you have any other questions or concerns, please give us a call or write in!
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