![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/asbestos-home-inspection-3.png\")
<\/a>What is asbestos and why is it worrisome?<\/h2>\n
Asbestos is naturally occurring mineral fiber found in rock and soil<\/a>, according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The material is heat resistant and flame resistant, which led to its use in a wide array of consumer and building products from the 1940s to 1970s<\/a>. However, asbestos was discovered to be highly carcinogenic when inhaled, leading the EPA to start regulating it<\/a> in 1970.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n Plenty of homes that pre-date 1980 were built with materials containing asbestos. Find out how much your property is worth to determine next steps.<\/p>\n \n Exposure to damaged, deteriorating, or disturbed asbestos can cause symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, and persistent dry cough<\/a>, according to the American Lung Association. Exposure can also lead to mesothelioma<\/a>, or cancer of the thin layer of tissue that covers your lungs, heart, stomach, and other internal organs. Developing asbestosis<\/a>, a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos, is another risk of serious concern.<\/p>\n More than 50 nations have banned asbestos<\/a>, but the U.S. has yet to eliminate its use completely. The EPA banned spray-on asbestos through the Clean Air Act of 1970, and current legislation does not allow<\/a> asbestos in products classified as flooring felt, rollboard, commercial paper, specialty paper, and corrugated paper.<\/p>\n There have also been standards established for inspecting and removing asbestos in schools. But the bottom line is that in many older homes and buildings \u2014 those built before 1980 when asbestos use began to taper off \u2014 asbestos may be lurking in walls, floors, and ceilings.<\/p>\n According to the EPA<\/a> and Consumer Product Safety Commission<\/a> (CPSC), asbestos may be found in the following places:<\/p>\n In the words of the CSPC, bolded and in all-caps on its website<\/a>: \u201cThe best thing to do with asbestos material in good condition is to leave it alone.\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n That leaves a few scenarios where you may want to get an asbestos inspection, according to Andy Ward<\/a>, an asbestos inspector with Criterion Labs with over 29 years of experience:<\/p>\n \u201cUnder these conditions, asbestos could pose serious health risks,\u201d says Ward.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re selling your home, talk to your real estate agent about whether an asbestos home inspection is warranted for your property. David Brownell<\/a>, a top real estate agent in Las Vegas, often errs on the side of recommending that sellers have a test done if they suspect there is asbestos in their home.<\/p>\n \u201cIn our market, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes,\u201d he says. \u201cWe recommend the tests because then if there’s no asbestos, we want to be able to say that to take that fear out of the buyer’s mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n Overwhelmed with repairs? HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides cash offers for homes in almost any condition.<\/p>\n \n During a general home inspection, an inspector is looking for<\/a> any issues related to the home\u2019s structure and major systems, including electrical, HVAC, roof, and plumbing. While they evaluate the home, they may also make note of what they suspect to be disturbed asbestos, such as a cracked tile or crumbling textured paint.<\/p>\n But the inspector won\u2019t actually test for the substance, which must be identified using a microscope. Only a certified asbestos inspector<\/a> will definitely determine if a material tests positive for asbestos.<\/p>\n During an asbestos inspection<\/a>, a trained inspector will come to your house and collect a sample from any materials they suspect to contain asbestos. The sample will then be sent to a lab for analysis. Here\u2019s what to expect from the process:<\/p>\n Occupants will likely be asked to leave the house during an asbestos inspection. That way, if any materials containing asbestos are distrubed during the sample collection, you won\u2019t be put at risk.<\/p>\n The EPA recommends doing a Google search<\/a> or contacting state officials<\/a> to find certified asbestos inspectors in your area.<\/p>\n After that, you should read reviews and ask to see an inspector\u2019s license to ensure they\u2019re meeting any local and federal requirements. Inspectors should also be EPA-certified. Ask to see references and any similar projects an inspector has completed to make sure they\u2019re a good fit for your needs.<\/p>\n If you want to test a material for asbestos yourself, you can send samples to a lab. But removing even a small portion of popcorn ceiling, for example, can be risky and would require wearing eye protection and an N95 mask for protection<\/a>, according to Asbestos.com, a website provided by The Mesothelioma Center.<\/p>\n Usually it\u2019s safest to leave the testing and any further action to the pros.<\/p>\n \u201cIf somebody is going to want to do an asbestos inspection for their house, they should have a professional do it,\u201d Ward says. \u201cThere’s more of a hazard of contaminating yourself and your family if you’re going to attempt to do it yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n The costs for asbestos testing will vary by location, but typically they range from $120 to $180<\/a> for mail-in or offsite testing, according to Asbestos123, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeowners understand the risks of asbestos and how to address them.<\/p>\n Onsite testing costs range from $250 and $750. If an initial test detects asbestos, more extensive testing may need to be done. Those costs can run between $400-$800. If the inspector suspects there is asbestos present in the air inside your home, they may recommend an additional air monitoring test, which costs between $300-$1,200.<\/p>\n To identify the risk of asbestos in your home, do a walkthrough to look for materials that may contain asbestos<\/a>. Examine ceilings, wall paints, exposed insulation and tile and make note of anything you think could have an asbestos risk.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we go into an older house we talk about these potential risks with our seller clients,\u201d Brownell says.<\/p>\n Since asbestos is only dangerous when it\u2019s disturbed or damaged, homeowners should take note of any areas where their home might be in need of repair. Look for tears, abrasions, or water damage in areas suspected to contain asbestos. You won\u2019t be able to confirm whether asbestos is present, however, until the material is tested.<\/p>\n Generally, asbestos can have a negative effect on your home\u2019s resale value. Since it\u2019s a carcinogen, buyers may request that the seller remediate the issue during the negotiation process. But it depends on the home, the buyer, and the market where the property is located.<\/p>\n One option is to get in front of the issue by testing for asbestos before a buyer requests an evaluation. That way, you understand the scope of the problem and how much it may cost to fix the issue ahead of listing.<\/p>\n If any home features you suspect contain asbestos are damaged, having a professional inspection done is especially critical, since a home inspector will likely flag it and a buyer may find it cause to back out of the sale<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s legal to sell a home if you know or suspect it has asbestos, but you\u2019ll need to disclose any known information to buyers. If you conceal the issue, you could potentially assume legal risk.<\/p>\n But keep in mind that plenty of people are open to purchasing an older home, and asbestos is only dangerous if it is damaged.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to make sure that the seller is taking steps to shield themselves from any potential liability,\u201d Brownell says.<\/p>\n If your inspection turns up asbestos, but the part of the home that contains it is in good condition, most inspectors will recommend leaving it in place, Ward says.<\/p>\n Removing undamaged asbestos can disturb the fibers<\/a>, which releases the harmful particles into the air and poses a health risk.<\/p>\n If the asbestos is currently damaged or if you\u2019re planning to undertake any renovations that could disrupt the fibers, asbestos containment or removal is in order.<\/p>\n This is what you can expect from each process.<\/p>\n In many cases, you don\u2019t have to fully remove or remediate asbestos to create a safe home. Containment or encapsulation can do the job, often at a lower cost than full removal. If the materials are undisturbed or if the problematic material isn\u2019t widespread, containment may be the best option since it is the least intrusive.<\/p>\n During the containment process<\/a>, the surface containing asbestos is sealed with a material described as an \u201cadhesive matrix<\/a>\u201d to prevent the fibers from becoming airborne. Another example would be adding a sleeve over asbestos pipe insulation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Asbestos containment typically costs 15%-25%<\/a> less than removal because sellers don\u2019t have to pay for disposal fees.<\/p>\n Asbestos removal involves having a certified asbestos abatement professional come and expunge your home from materials identified as hazardous. During the process, the home must be completely empty and sealed to prevent fibers from spreading. This is a job for the licensed and certified professionals; there is typically no safe way to remove asbestos on your own.<\/p>\n Though costs for asbestos remediation vary based on your home\u2019s location and the scope of the project, on average prices run between $200-$700 per hour<\/a>. In total, projects tend to cost between $1,500 to $30,000<\/a>. The costs often aren\u2019t covered under homeowners insurance policies<\/a>. Asbestos is considered a contaminant or pollutant, issues that are often excluded on insurance policies.<\/p>\n Despite the costs, removal may be necessary to complete or the best long-term choice. A professional can help you determine whether the risk of asbestos fibers releasing into the air now or in the future are too serious for other solutions to address.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there is asbestos, it can be worth considering remediation in my experience,\u201d Brownwell says. \u201cMost sellers are not unwilling to eliminate the asbestos because we express that the cost of the remediation may be covered by the value added to the home.\u201d<\/p>\n If a test finds asbestos, but it is undamaged and undisturbed, some homeowners sellers may elect to have it removed anyway, since it can help ensure a house passes inspection when it comes time to sell.<\/p>\n Since asbestos remediation requires an empty house, it may work out to perform the removal services between house owners. For example, a seller may work out an agreement with their buyer to pay for the remediation to take place after the seller moves out and before the buyer moves in.<\/p>\n In the event that your home needs extensive work due to its construction materials and other issues, you may be overwhelmed or unsure of how to pay for such a giant project.<\/p>\n Rather than undertake asbestos remediation, one alternative option is to request a cash offer<\/a> for your home. Real estate investors generally don\u2019t mind homes that need some work and often have the capital to renovate older homes to a safe and livable condition.<\/p>\n You can get started with HomeLight\u2019s Simple Sale<\/a> platform today. We provide all-cash offers for homes in almost any condition across the U.S. It\u2019s easy to do \u2014 just provide a bit of information about your home in a short questionnaire<\/a> and we\u2019ll send you a no-obligation cash offer within 48 hours.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick rundown of what to do if you suspect your home has asbestos and when to consider an inspection or remediation.<\/p>\n Though your home may contain asbestos, there is no need to panic. As long as you understand the conditions that can cause asbestos to be dangerous, you can take the right actions to protect yourself, your family, and your home\u2019s value.<\/p>\n Header Image Source: (Mediamodifier \/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Find out when it\u2019s advisable to get an asbestos home inspection, what the risks may be, and what to expect from the process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":263,"featured_media":28467,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[705,322],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buyers-inspection","category-logistics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n <\/div>\n \n How Much Is Your Older Home Worth?<\/h3>\n
What are the risks?<\/h3>\n
Is asbestos banned?<\/h3>\n
Where is asbestos usually found?<\/h2>\n
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In our market, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes. We recommend the tests because then if there’s no asbestos, we want to be able to say that to take that fear out of the buyer’s mind.<\/q>\n
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\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n
When should you get an asbestos inspection?<\/h2>\n
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\n <\/div>\n \n Sell Your Older Home With Asbestos 'As Is'<\/h3>\n
How an asbestos inspection differs a traditional home inspection<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Where to find an asbestos inspector<\/h2>\n
Asbestos testing costs<\/h3>\n
How to identify your home\u2019s asbestos risk<\/h2>\n
How asbestos affects your home\u2019s resale value<\/h2>\n
<\/a>What to do if you confirm asbestos in the home<\/h2>\n
Asbestos containment<\/h3>\n
Asbestos removal<\/h3>\n
When to consider removal<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Alternative: sell your home for cash<\/h3>\n
Key takeaways on asbestos inspections<\/h2>\n
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