Asbestos was used in homes and other buildings in the late 19th century. It was ideal at the time because it was good for soundproofing, had a decent tensile strength, and was pretty much resistant to heat, electrical and chemical damage. We now know that asbestos can be very harmful to your health, as it has been known to cause malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma (a type of rare cancer) and asbestosis (which is a type of pneumoconiosis). So, if you find asbestos in your home, what should you do?

1)    The Effects. Asbestos releases particles when it is cut, drilled, broken or moved in any way. These particles are the most dangerous part about asbestos, as if they are breathed in you can get sick. So if you are conducting renovations or anything of the sort, you should investigate to see if you have asbestos in your home.

2)    Locate the culprit? Asbestos is found in most insulation in homes before 1986, and was banned in 1999. Insulation is the worst place to find asbestos, as it is usually loose in the insulation and easy to inhale if moved. It is also found in water tanks that were made before 1980, plus textured coatings on ceilings and sometimes on walls as well. The coatings are sealed, but they should be noted just in case you wish to remodel/repaint your ceiling. Asbestos may also be in fuse boxes, heater cupboards, toilet cisterns, thermoplastic and vinyl floors, and tile backing.

3)    Leave it alone. If you are unsure if you may or may not have asbestos in your home, the best thing to do is leave it alone until you are sure. In this case, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry, so follow the next two steps before you start renovating.

4)    Get it tested. The best way to figure out if you have asbestos in your home or not is to get it tested. Contact an asbestos remediation company, they usually do testing as well. Asbestos can only be identified with a laboratory test – so no tasting it or basing your finds on the colour either.

5)    Call an asbestos remediation/abatement company. These certified companies have the experience, knowledge and equipment to remove all the asbestos from your home so you can go ahead with your remodeling – or just give you peace of mind. Most asbestos remediation/abatement companies can provide testing services as well.

If you live in a home built before 1986, you should definitely look into the possibility of there being asbestos in your home. Before you pick up that hammer or cut a hole in your wall, ensure that it is safe for you to do so.