Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Found in most Northern VA homes built before 1980, it is still used in some products today, commonly used in construction. If your home was built before 1980, you need to question the materials used in constructing your home in Northern VA. The best way to do this is to have an asbestos inspection.
Asbestos fibers are tiny, and they float in the air making these fibers easy to inhale. Once inhaled into the lungs, they stick to the inner lining and collect over a period of time. This can cause several diseases and eventually can affect a person’s breathing.
Northern VA homes built prior to 1980 could have asbestos–containing materials such as vinyl floor tile and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives insulation, roofing, and siding shingles made of asbestos cement plus more. If your Northern VA home is older, please take precautions and have an asbestos inspection done so that if and when you decide to remodel or make any home improvements, you know what materials you are tearing out contain asbestos. Even if you are not anticipating any major renovations, some of the materials in your home could be worn or frayed, which can send off these asbestos fibers into the air, and your family could be in danger.
For the well–being of your family, an asbestos inspection is well worth the money. Once your Northern VA home is inspected for asbestos–containing materials, you will then know what is safe and unsafe and what needs to be replaced or sealed (encapsulation).
An asbestos inspection process may look somewhat like this—
- The inspector conducts a visual inspection of the home and its systems during the asbestos inspection at your home in Northern VA, including the foundation, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, plumbing and electrical systems, garage, house interiors, and a few appliances as well.
- Some of these materials will be tested by taking samples and sending them to an outside lab for analysis.
- If any asbestos is found during the asbestos inspection, you will be instructed on where to go from there. Some materials that are in good shape and do not release fibers will not be a concern. Other materials that show visible signs of deterioration should be repaired or removed by a professional asbestos removal technician.
If you have any concerns about an asbestos inspection for your Northern VA home, please don’t hesitate to call Envirotex Environmental Services. They will be glad to help in any way they can to help keep your family safe from any environmental issues at your home in Northern VA.