If your Washington, D.C. home predates the 1980s, you may wonder what materials, if any, contain harmful asbestos materials. Could your popcorn ceilings, vinyl floor tiles, insulation, or textured paint contain asbestos? You may be asking yourself, should you get a home asbestos inspection for your home in Washington, DC. to find out more?
Maybe it could just be for peace of mind that you may want an asbestos inspection to ensure your family is not at risk. The thing is, asbestos is usually only hazardous if it is disturbed. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases asbestos fibers into the air. The air you and your family breathe could cause havoc on your family’s health.
Exposure to damaged, disturbed, or deteriorating asbestos can cause symptoms that include shortness of breath, persistent cough, and chest pain. Exposure can lead to mesothelioma, or cancer of the thin tissue layer covering your lungs, heart, stomach, and other internal organs. Another chronic lung disease called asbestosis is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These alone should be a concerning factor for Washington, D.C. homeowners whose house predates the 1980s.
When should you get an asbestos inspection for your home in Washington, D.C.? If the asbestos material is in good condition, simply leave it alone. Other scenarios as to when you should get an asbestos inspection include the following—
- If you notice any areas of your home that might contain asbestos are damaged or deteriorating, such as popcorn ceilings, vinyl tile, or pipe insulation that appears to be in bad shape, by all means, you should get an asbestos inspection.
- Suppose you plan to renovate your home in Washington, D.C. In that case, you will need to know which materials contain asbestos before you either modify or remove those materials, so an asbestos inspection definitely is warranted in this scenario.
If you have doubts that asbestos could lurk at your Washington, D.C. home, call the experts at Envirotex Environmental Services. They can answer any questions and advise whether you should have an asbestos inspection for your home in Washington, D.C.