Asbestos In Your Home

asbestos in your home

Although some asbestos has been removed from our homes over the past years, there are many thousands of tons of asbestos still present in Massachusetts homes today. There still remains extensive repair and removal work, which will definitely continue for the foreseeable future. The main source of asbestos in our indoor air is located in our insulation products throughout our homes. Buildings that were built in the last 50 years were built with a variety of materials composed of asbestos mixed with other fibers like paper, fiberglass, or synthetic fibers and a binder, usually lime or gypsum mortar. Manufacturers utilized asbestos for strengthening cement and plastics as well as for insulation, fireproofing, and sound absorption. Today, the most common domestic materials (in your home) that may contain asbestos are...

Furnace and Boiler insulation covering

Hot water pipe insulation

Tape at old furnace supply duct connections

Stove and transite flue pipes

Some exterior stucco

Attic insulation (usually vermiculite)

Artificial ashes and embers for use in gas-fired Fireplaces

Roofing mastic and asphalt composition roofing shingles and house siding material

Adhesive mastics for flooring, vinyl floor tiles ( usually the 9" x 9" tiles), asphalt floor tiles, and sheet vinyl flooring

Interior plaster and drywall joint patching compounds

Textured paints

Parts of some pre-1979 appliances (e.g. toasters, clothes dryers, hair dryers)

Asbestos was also commonly used in spray-applied textured ceiling coatings. For many years, acoustic ceilings, often called "popcorn" or "cottage cheese" ceilings, were a standard feature in homes. Until the late 1970s, asbestos was a common ingredient in these materials. Fortunately, this type of asbestos is not considered a significant health hazard unless it is disturbed or begins to deteriorate, releasing fibers into the air.

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Here is what my clients have to say about my home inspection services:

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Hi Dave,

I just wanted to write a quick thank you for your work inspecting 43 1/2 Bartholomew Street in Peabody yesterday. As a buyer in the process of trying to purchase my first home, it's been difficult to know who to trust. I honestly cannot believe some of the stuff I've run into, so I had to write & let you know that I found you professional, competent, & all around above par. In all of the people I've had to deal with up to this point, you were one of the few that actually took the time to explain things in a way that an inexperienced first time home buyer would understand. I never once felt rushed or talked down to.

Based on your inspection, I've decided not to purchase the home at 43 1/2 Bartholomew Street. I will however, continue to look & will hopefully find a house more suited to my needs in the near future. When that happens I will be calling on your expertise once again. In the meantime, I will certainly recommend you to any of my family & friends that may need a home inspection.

Thanks again,

Lisa G.