If you're unsure whether the home you intend to buy contains asbestos, you should let professionals like Envirotex come in for asbestos and home inspections in Fairfax, VA. Once we are on-site, we will take samples for any asbestos detected to determine the condition of the potentially harmful substance. This is why home sellers should also call our professionals before selling their properties.
Envirotex is a licensed, asbestos inspection and abatement contractor. We offer:
Finding the perfect home can be a long and challenging process for home buyers. You may spend hours searching the internet looking at the available listings. You may have also visited several potential homes and might now believe that you've found the perfect one.
But, before you sign on the dotted lines, have you asked for asbestos and home inspections in the Fairfax, VA property? Home inspections typically evaluate the condition of the property. It can save you a lot of headaches in the future. You get information that can help you decide whether or not the home is a good investment.
So, once the home inspection documents are in and everything seems to be in order, please take some time to verify if they also check for asbestos within the property. It is a potentially life-saving measure that you cannot afford to ignore.
The other concern is the burning question of who bears the cost of a home asbestos inspection in Fairfax. Since you are the one requesting it, you have to pay the inspectors. Some sellers agree to split the cost. It all comes down to your negotiating power.
At Envirotex, we have been in the asbestos home inspection business for many years. You can relax knowing that we have the knowledge and expertise to give you proper advice.
It is essential to understand that a home seller is under no obligation to do a home asbestos inspection for potential buyers. The only legal requirement for the inspection is for commercial property.
But, if you go ahead and purchase the home and later discover that the owner knew that there was asbestos, you could seek legal redress. Unfortunately, it may not be easy to prove that the owner had prior knowledge. The obligation is on you to have enough evidence to prove that this is the case.
So what does each inspection cover? A home inspection covers a range of things. The inspector looks at things like plumbing, the overall structure of the home, and HVAC systems, amongst others.
They have a list of components that are critical to the overall safety and condition of the building. If you are lucky, the home inspector may have some training on identifying asbestos. However, few have the experience or licensing.
1. Does a Standard Home Inspection Check for Asbestos?
Unfortunately, the answer to the question above is no. You must specifically ask for a home asbestos inspection if you want one. Let's take the example that you're buying a home. The home inspector only looks for things like structural damage or other critical components. Asbestos inspection is not part of their contractual obligation.
Further, a home inspection certificate does not mean that the concerned have the expertise for asbestos inspection. It is a specialized field requiring specific training. Again, most home inspection contracts are clear that checking for asbestos is not part of the scope of work.
It is crucial to let companies like Envirotex conduct the asbestos inspection. We take the training of our teams very seriously. There's a lot that goes into handling asbestos, especially if it is in a fragile state.
2. Should You Expect an Asbestos Report from a Home Seller?
As we stated earlier, if you're buying a home, the seller is under no legal obligation to carry out an asbestos inspection. Ironically, the same does not apply to commercial property. In the latter case, it is a requirement for the seller to carry out the inspection.
Do note that some sellers may have reservations about the process. The inspectors, especially the unskilled, may cause some damage in trying to access the sample material. They may, for example, have to remove a part of the wall to get to the insulation. The seller may not agree to the destruction. Unfortunately for you, the law sides with him.
Some sellers may also be afraid that a positive asbestos report could chase away potential buyers. It could also devalue the home, meaning they may have to sell it cheaper.
3. What is the Professional Process of Getting an Asbestos Inspection?
If you worry that you may have asbestos in your home, call in the experts. Please note that you cannot see it with your naked eyes, and neither can the experts. That is why professionals use specialized equipment during the asbestos and home inspections in your Fairfax, VA property. They also know where to look for it.
The team collects samples from several parts of the home. The process is very delicate because we aim to avoid any scenario that could disturb the asbestos. It does not take much to turn the asbestos from a non-friable to a friable state.
We then send the samples to labs for testing. This is when we get to know the presence and type of asbestos and its condition. The information from the lab determines the next course of action.
4. What's More About Asbestos?
Even though we've discussed quite a bit about asbestos home inspections, you may be wondering why the concern. Perhaps you may even want to consider proceeding with the purchase if the inspector finds asbestos on the property.But, you must note that long-term asbestos exposure can be dangerous for your health. Do you know that many countries in the world have banned the use of asbestos completely? The list stands at about 67 countries. However, some like the United States, India, Canada, China, and Brazil still permit its use.
Asbestos is a malleable silicate mineral fiber that has some fantastic properties. It is malleable, durable, heat resistant, strong, and incombustible. It allows for flexibility in a wide range of applications. The construction industry has been a beneficiary of the favorable properties of asbestos.
You may find it in a wide range of materials that form part of the structure of your home. Such include ceilings, floors, insulation, and so much more. Even the car you drive may contain some asbestos in the brake linings and gaskets.
There are six types of asbestos, with chrysotile being the most common. Others are amosite, crocidolite, Anthophyllite, Actinolite, and Tremolite. The structure typically comprises needle-like fibers that are very fine in texture. For those with training, they can quickly tell the different types apart from the colors. Chrysotile, for example, is white, and the amosite is brown.
5. What are the Health Concerns Associated with Asbestos?
Asbestos occurs in two states, which determine whether it is dangerous or not. In a stable or non-friable condition, you have no cause for concern. But, asbestos is fragile and can quickly disintegrate. In this state, we refer to it as friable. This is where the fine, needle-like fibers find their way into the atmosphere. You could, at this very moment, be breathing them in. Since you cannot see them, you can inhale them for years without realizing it.
Now, here are two things that make asbestos scary yet interesting. The first is that; once it enters your body, the system cannot flush it out. It is unlike other toxins that the body may find a way to expel. The second is that; it can take between 20 to 30 years to see any impact on your health.
Long-term asbestos exposure can result in severe health implications. Such include mesothelioma, different cancers, and asbestosis, to name a few.
You may also experience other symptoms that are attributable to asbestos poisoning. They include wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. You may attribute it to the common flu or cold and ignore them. By the time most patients seek treatment, it is usually too late.
At Envirotex, we do not take the presence of asbestos on a property lightly. We understand the implications it could have on your health and that of your family. Protect your loved ones by prioritizing the inspection.
Our teams have specialized training and the right equipment to handle such tasks. We understand that you may have many more questions. We are available at your convenience to answer them.
Start the discussion with us by filling in the form on our website. Then you know that your search for a home asbestos inspection expert is over.
About Envriotex Environmental Services
Established in Northern Virginia in 2000, Envirotex Environmental Services was founded on military service. While serving his country, the company's owner Mr. Freeman gained vast knowledge and experience in the environmental services field. His expertise in air monitoring and hazardous materials testing prepared him for his post-military career.
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