Keeping Your Home Safe from Asbestos

​It is of greatest importance to keep our homes free from any potential health risk. Asbestos is one chemical that every household owner should be aware. Here’s all you need to know about asbestos and what to do if found in your home. 

​Asbestos in Your Home
Asbestos is a collection of silicate minerals that are naturally occurring and resistant to heat and corrosion. It is also a known carcinogen that causes mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the respiratory tract. In the old days, asbestos was a common product used in building houses.
 
Pure asbestos is an effective insulator; it can be mixed with cement, plastic and other materials to make them durable for house construction. Although the use of asbestos was banned since the late 1970s, it still exists in some homes throughout the United States.
 
How Asbestos Becomes a Hazard
Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers poses a serious health risk. Asbestos becomes a hazard only when it is airborne. When asbestos in the homes becomes disturbed, tiny abrasive fibers are easily inhaled, which can damage lung tissue and cause cancer.  
 
Where to Check Asbestos at Home
Homes built before 1980 may contain asbestos on the floor tiles, insulation (around older furnaces, fireplaces, inside walls and attics), roof shingles, pipe cement, paint, and wall-patching materials. If you suspect material in your home to contain asbestos, cover it with a protective sheet or place it in a closed container to keep them from getting into the air.
 
A visual inspection of your home is not sufficient enough to determine if it contains asbestos. Samples of suspected asbestos-containing materials should be sent to a certified laboratory for analysis.
 
Getting Rid of Asbestos
Removal of asbestos is the only lasting solution to the asbestos problem in your home. However, never attempt to rip them out of your home on your own. Its removal poses a high risk of fiber release if not done correctly. Call a professional to do it for you.
 
Once you are certain that your home is safe from asbestos, you should be sure to get insurance as other problems may still arise. It is a wise decision to keep yourself financially secure.  At Insurance Services of the West, we aim to make our client's life easier with policies that are tailored to their needs. You can get more information about our products and services by calling our agency at (425) 681-0996. Get your free quote today by CLICKING HERE.