02 Dec Asbestos Safety Dos and Don’ts
Asbestos Safety Dos and Don’ts
If you own an older home, take every precaution to avoid damaging materials that may contain asbestos.
Even if a repair seems minor, you should hire a professional when asbestos may be present. Improper handling of safely managed asbestos can create an exposure risk where there was none before.
- Avoid any contact with dangerous asbestos materials.
- Take every precaution not to damage any materials that may contain asbestos.
- Talk to your home inspector or real estate agent about any known asbestos risks in your home.
- Only hire trained professionals for asbestos inspections, testing, repairs or removal.
- If you are planning on a demolition, contact the appropriate regulatory agency in your local or state government.
- Don’t saw, sand, scrape, drill or disturb materials that may contain asbestos.
- Don’t sweep, vacuum or dust debris that may contain asbestos.
- Don’t collect asbestos samples for testing without proper training.
- Don’t perform any work on or near asbestos materials unless you’re trained and certified.
- Don’t remove asbestos unless repair or concealment is impossible, and there’s a high risk for exposure.
- Don’t dispose of asbestos materials with normal household waste.
How Can I Tell if a Material in My House Is Asbestos?
It’s extremely difficult to identify asbestos just by looking at it, so you need to send samples to a lab for testing.
Homeowners can collect samples and have them tested, but it’s much safer for you and your family to hire a trained asbestos professional for the job.
Search for “asbestos inspection” online to find a licensed expert in your area. The U.S. Department of Commerce offers a list of accredited asbestos laboratories online.
What Can I Do About Asbestos in My Home?
If you find something in your home that you suspect is asbestos, don’t touch it.
Even if the material is in good condition, the best option is to leave it alone.
If the material appears damaged or future activities could disturb it, contact a trained and accredited asbestos professional. Limit access to the area until a professional can confirm the presence of asbestos.
The best way to avoid asbestos exposure is to be knowledgeable about the asbestos materials in your home, including their locations and current condition.
If you need to schedule a home inspection or have questions please contact us at 941-779-7170 or click here to email us.
