Throughout the twentieth century, asbestos surveys was often utilized by builders and homeowners in the creation of consumer products and home construction. Its ability to withstand heat and a wide range of temperatures made it a preferred choice for residential projects. Sadly, it is also harmful to human health.
If you live in a home that was built before the 1970s or 80s, it is a good idea to have a look at the asbestos in the bathroom. If you are doing a bathroom remodel, you need to be careful not to disturb any asbestos-containing materials, as these can cause breathing problems.
What is asbestos? What are some examples?
As most of you know, asbestos is not something you want to have in your home. As long as it does not affect us personally, or anyone we know, we don’t think about asbestos much at all.
Usually present in soil and rocks, asbestos is a mineral compound made up of flexible fibers that make it resistant to corrosion, heat, and electricity. This material is widely used in the construction industry and the manufacture of consumer goods because of its durability. It has been utilized to create drywall, drywall, popcorn ceilings, floor tiles, and siding and shingles for homes and commercial buildings.
Today, asbestos is still used in the manufacture of consumer products, even though it is regulated heavily. Legally, asbestos can account for only one % of a product which has it. Asbestos is toxic to humans, despite being useful for many purposes.
Is asbestos dangerous?
As long as the asbestos is left unattended, it poses no threat to your health. But because asbestos is very fragile and crumbly, even the smallest disruption can send particles of hazardous dust into the atmosphere. These particles are hard to see with your own eyes, but they are easily inhaled by your lungs.
Does your bathroom have asbestos? How likely is that?
Even though asbestos is heavily regulated nowadays, The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there’re 1.2 billion square feet of toweled-on or sprayed- asbestos materials available in the U.S. today. The average asbestos content in these materials is 14 %, well above the 1 % limit.
If your home was built before this regulation, you are at a greater risk of having high asbestos concentrations in the building materials. Asbestos is a much more common problem in bathrooms if you lived in a home before 1970.
How to Identify Asbestos in your Bathroom If you are thinking about a bathroom remodel, or If you have a family member who is living in the home, you should conduct a thorough inspection of the space for asbestos.
However, comparing your location to an online example or visually identifying the presence of asbestos can be quite difficult. Asbestos testing is the best way to determine whether or not there is asbestos in your home. Asbestos testing can be done by accredited labs, which can give you peace of mind that you are taking the proper steps to remove or reduce the risk of asbestos in your bathroom.