What Every Homeowner Should Know About Asbestos

If you own an older home, then you are probably aware of the fact that it may contain asbestos. You are also likely aware of the health-related issues that you will have if you are exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period of time. It’s why you should have asbestos testing done on your home. But what else do you know about asbestos? Check out some of the other things all homeowners should know about asbestos exposure near San Francisco.

You Cannot See Asbestos Asbestos
Some homeowners are under the assumption that they can see asbestos if it exists in their homes. This is simply not true. The only way that you can detect asbestos is through asbestos testing. Asbestos is a mineral fiber, but the fiber is so tiny that people cannot see it. So rather than try and guess whether or not you may have asbestos in your home, you should hire a certified company to come in and do an asbestos test if you suspect that asbestos might be located in your house.

There Is No Safe Level of Asbestos
The scary thing about asbestos is that you can be negatively affected by breathing in just a small amount of it. Most often, homeowners will come into contact with asbestos during home renovation projects. By sawing or drilling into a product made with asbestos, you can disturb it and send asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers will create health problems if they find their way into your lungs.

Asbestos Can Be Found in Many Parts of the Home
You might think that asbestos is only found in basements or in crawlspaces and that you won’t be exposed to it if you don’t spend much time in them. However, everything from roofing shingles to textured paint to air duct lining can contain asbestos. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have your home tested for asbestos anytime you take on a project that will involve you working on your house. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to asbestos.