Dealing with Asbestos
January 18, 2012
Buying or remodeling a home is a big undertaking. Though there is the excitement of calling something your own, you owe it to yourself and your family to make sure your new (or remodeled) home is conducive to healthy living. That will usually involve testing for asbestos. Asbestos is a health hazard in many homes, but can be dealt with effectively. But, what exactly is asbestos and how can it get into your home? Wendy Martinenas of William Raveis Fairfield/Southport, CT, defines this hazardous material and how you can get rid of it quickly. You can read more about home maintenance and safety on her blog, Snappy Green.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was added to a variety of products to provide heat insulation and fire protection and was commonly used up until the 1970s. Unfortunately when it breaks apart it can release fibers into the air and become hazardous to your health.
Many types of building products and insulation contained asbestos.Common products in buildings that may contain asbestos (if manufactured before 1970) and may release fibers include:steam pipes, boilers, and furnace ducts; resilient floor tiles (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber); insulation around furnaces and wood burning stoves (cement sheet, millboard, and paper); soundproofing or decorative material; door gaskets in furnaces, wood and coal stoves; patching and joint compounds; cement roofing, shingles, and siding; and artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas fireplaces. Here is a general guide of materials that may contain asbestos from the EPA. ww.epa.gov/Region06/6pd/asbestos/asbmatl.htm
Posted by Wendy Martinenas, Realtor, William Raveis Fairfield in First Time Home Buyers, Maintaining Your Home, Raveis Agents, Raveis.com
Tags: asbestos in homes, Raveis, Raveis.com, remove asbestos, what does asbestos look like, William Raveis
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Article source: http://blog.raveis.com/2012/01/18/dealing-with-asbestos/
