After an asbestos inspection in San Diego, there are only two results you can expect: The presence or absence of asbestos. Home inspection experts have a large checklist they cover during their inspection. From water damage to mold damage to the electrical components and the foundations, home inspectors pour over all pieces of a property. A lot of issues are minor but a few problems can be significant. An example of a serious issue is the presence of asbestos.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a fiber that was used in a number of building and insulation materials in the past. This practise has been outlawed but its prior popularity means that it is still commonly present. For this reason, an inspection is necessary before a renovation or a construction project to ensure there is no presence of asbestos.

Whilst asbestos was once a desired material, it has been identified as a contributor to some types of cancers and other serious health concerns. Once asbestos is identified in a home, it should be removed immediately by trained people. It is too dangerous to leave it inside your property.

Asbestos can be very tricky to identify. You should let your inspector find the signs of asbestos and get a sample sent to a lab for further investigation and testing. If asbestos is found, a trained removal crew should be called in. It is crucial to do an asbestos inspection before you buy a property to ensure the materials used to build the property do not contain asbestos.

Where is asbestos common

Just like we had previously mentioned, asbestos was used in various building materials. Over the years, asbestos has found its way in paints, cement mixtures, tiles and more. Asbestos was used as insulation due to its fire-resistant traits. This means that a lot of homes today may contain asbestos fibers inside the walls or even wrapped around the pipes and ductworks. Some of the key places you should check include behind drywalls, and near any ductwork. The fact that it was very a popular insulation option is another reason why construction and renovation projects increase the risks of asbestos.

If you have access points, you should ask your home inspector about the signs of asbestos near pipes in the kitchen and bathrooms, in the attic insulation and around the furnace.

What to do if the inspection uncovers asbestos

If you find asbestos in your home, it is important to know what to do. The good thing is that the materials that contain asbestos aren’t too risky, especially if they are undisturbed or intact. It is only when the asbestos is moved that the toxic fibers are released into the air. It is, therefore, important to plan what to do if you find asbestos.

If asbestos is found during an asbestos inspection in San Diego, it is important to secure the area. Do not let kids and pets near the area. You should block it off and keep it sealed until you are ready to remove it. You should then call a professional to remove it.