As we’ve mentioned several times in previous blogs, asbestos was a highly prevalent building material used in homes built between the
1930s and the early 1980s. Asbestos was viewed as a versatile and affordable alternative to a wide variety of building components, which
explains its widespread use.

Since our inception in 1984, Asbestos Removal 247 has tested and removed asbestos from thousands of houses. We’ve seen just about
everything when it comes to this potentially lethal chemical.

We receive a high volume of enquiries from homeowners who want to know exactly where they might expect to discover asbestos in their
houses, so we thought we’d spend a few seconds discussing the most typical locations.

Attic and wall insulation made of asbestos

This asbestos-containing insulation, known as “vermiculite,” was widely used in homes built up until the early 1990s.

Fireproofing/products with an acoustical texture/popcorn ceilings

Asbestos is also found in fireproofing and textured surfaces found throughout the home, such as decorative plaster, textured paint or
coatings, fire blankets, fire curtains, and fire doors.

Gaskets and elastomeric packing

Asbestos may be present in the gaskets and packings that surround plumbing and HVAC fixtures.These products include high-
temperature gaskets, industrial product packing, high-pressure packing, and asbestos packing reinforced with steel or copper wire.

Drywall and wallboard

Asbestos was discovered in roofing shingles, roofing felt, base flashing, cement wallboard, cement siding, ceiling tiles and lay-in panels,
and vinyl wall coverings.

Floor tile and linoleum sheets

If you discover 9X9 inch floor tiles in your property and it was built prior to the 1980s, it is quite likely that they contain asbestos.
Additionally, the cement used to adhere the floor tile to the subfloor may contain asbestos.

Insulation for pipes and wiring

Corrugated air-cell piping and wire wrapped in any of the following materials are likely to contain asbestos: breaching, block insulation,
and paper-like duct insulation.

pipe made of asbestos and cement.

Often referred to as “Transite,” asbestos-cement pipe was used to install HVAC systems within concrete slabs.This is not a do-it-yourself
project; only a certified professional asbestos removal business should attempt it.

The Message

If you believe that any of these materials are present in your house, the best course of action is to have them tested promptly. While you
may suspect a product contains asbestos based on its appearance, the only way to be certain is to have it tested by a qualified Asbestos
Removal 247 technician. Contact us immediately if you suspect the presence of asbestos in your house.

Posted on March 15th, 2019.

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