If you have an old house, you need to know How to Test for Asbestos in your home in Connecticut | ARCT. This is because most old houses have asbestos as part of their building material.
Asbestos is a carcinogen that was previously used to construct buildings because of its heat resistance capacity. It’s often seen in older buildings that were built before their usage was limited in the country.
So if you live in an old house, you need to test for asbestos, and if you detect its presence, then you need to have it removed. To do this, you need to speak with an asbestos removal company. They are licensed and well-trained to handle its removal without causing any health hazards.
In case you’ve decided to remove asbestos in your home, and you are wondering what the cost is. Well, the cost of asbestos removal is majorly dependent on the kind of material you want to remove, disposal fees, and the size of the contaminated area. That being said, the average cost of asbestos removal is between $1,123 to $2,872.
Areas Where Asbestos Can Be Found In The Home
Pipes and Ducts
Asbestos can be taped or glued around some pipes in your home for insulation effects. How the asbestos will be removed depends on how it was attached. Sometimes, you may even need to remove the entire pipe section. Likewise, if asbestos was installed in your home’s duct system, your duct system may need complete removal.
Attic
Another common place you can find asbestos is in your attic. Since the asbestos in this area is exposed to condensation, it’s more difficult to remove the asbestos there because the fibers easily loosen.
Walls
Homes built before 1986 usually have walls contaminated with a high amount of non-friable asbestos. An inspection may help discover that it’s safe to have the walls encapsulated. But in extreme cases, the wall has to be completely removed. Typically, encapsulating walls cost $2 to $6 per square foot.
Ceiling And Floor
You will most likely find asbestos in old ceiling tiles and popcorn ceilings. An asbestos-laden ceiling could also qualify for an encapsulation spray. It can cost between 3 to $7 per foot or close to $1,600 to remove popcorn ceilings with asbestos.
Tile
Sometimes, the materials used to glue tiles could have asbestos. The cost of removing asbestos tiles ranges between $15 per square foot. Your tiles may only need encapsulating if an inspection shows you’re not exposed to danger.
Soil
In preparation for commercial construction, some old landfills get bulldozed, filled in, and rezoned. Unfortunately, in some cases, hazardous materials don’t get disposed of properly. As a result, asbestos can leach into the soil. Asbestos removal from the soil can cost between 4 to $6 per square foot.
Health Effects Of Inhaling Asbestos Fibers
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer refers to a malignant tumor that blocks air passage in the lungs. Inhaling asbestos fibers and smoking tobacco can greatly increase your chances of getting lung cancer.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis refers to scarring of the lungs, which is often caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Since carbon dioxide and oxygen can’t pass through scarred lungs easily, asbestosis makes breathing hard for affected patients. It often occurs in those who were exposed for a long time, and it could take time before the symptoms start showing.
Pleural Disease
This lung condition changes the membrane around the chest cavity and lungs. The membrane could turn thicker in isolated areas or throughout. It could also cause fluid buildup around the lungs, a condition called pleural effusion. Sometimes, people with pleural changes don’t have breathing problems, but their lungs may not be able to function effectively.
Mesothelioma
This is a rare membrane cancer that can cover the chest cavity, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity, the lungs, or membranes around other internal organs. Some signs of this medical condition may not show till thirty or 40 years of asbestos exposure.
Asides from mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestos exposure can cause ovary and larynx cancer. Some evidence suggests that asbestos exposure can also cause colorectal, stomach, and pharynx cancer.
The risk of developing the disease through asbestos fibers depends on the following factors:
- The amount of asbestos in the air
- Duration of exposure
- Existing breathing or other lung conditions
Why You Should Hire An Expert For Your Asbestos Removal
Regardless of the hazards associated with asbestos removal, there isn’t any federal regulation against homeowners removing asbestos from their homes. Still, some states have restrictions concerning asbestos removal. Also, some asbestos DIY kits don’t offer full protection. This is why it’s best to contact a certified asbestos removal company for your asbestos removal project.
If you live in an old home, it’s important to get an asbestos testing and removal service to ensure your loved ones are safe from the harmful effects of asbestos exposure.
