You have probably heard a thing or two about asbestos. But what is it? What makes the material dangerous? Will it cost a fortune to test your property and find out if it is present? We will answer these questions and learn all there is about asbestos in today’s article.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber that you can find in soil and rocks on surfaces worldwide. It is highly resistant to heat and is also a good insulator and conductor, making it a popular component for many products and building materials.
You can find asbestos in many construction materials. And some of them are attic and wall insulations that contain vermiculite, vinyl floor tiles, coal furnaces, oil furnaces, heat-resistant fabrics, automobile brakes and clutches, roofing shingles, steam pipes, cement sheets, and so on.
Asbestos finds its use in the building industry, although it is now banned due to the many health hazards. Getting in contact with the fiber will lead to many health conditions such as lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other various lung conditions. Exposure happens if you disturb the asbestos-containing material or cutting it, thus releasing the fibers into the air.
You can easily avoid the dangers of asbestos by identifying asbestos products, safely handling it or let professionals do it for you, and finding alternatives to the material.
Asbestos Testing
Asbestos testing is one of the most in-demand methods to determine if asbestos is present in your home or property. There are many types of testing. And they also have different costs, depending on the size of the project and the company that offers them.
If your house was built during the sixties or seventies, it is a good idea to have it checked for the mineral, as homes built during this period were constructed with asbestos.
You should also consider testing if you plan to renovate your home, perform a DIY project, or a remodeling. Some states even mandate testing, especially for homes built before the nineties.
Testing will secure your safety and health, as well as those who are around you. It is a better alternative to spending more on hospital bills and medical fees once you get exposed.
There used to be two types of testing: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 testing is meant for the general surveying of a home where surfaces and locations are hotspots for asbestos. Type 2 testing is more specific, as a sample is taken from an area and taken to a facility to check for asbestos. Nowadays, there are more testing methods for dangerous materials, and the old type 1 and type 2 testing strategies are no longer practiced.
How Much Does It Cost For A Test?
Some of the newest and more popular testing methods are off-site laboratory testing, dust sample testing, asbestos inspection, physical sample, and air testing.
An off-site laboratory test is one of the cheapest and cost-efficient approaches that you can opt for. You are to use a do-it-yourself kit and collect a sample that you believe may contain asbestos. You then place it into a secure bag and send it to a certified facility for further analysis. It takes at least two weeks for results to come, and the average cost for it ranges from fifty dollars to a hundred dollars. Some facilities offer urgent services, although this may prove to be a bit more expensive.
Dust sample testing is way more expensive than the previous entry. But the positive side to it is that it is easy to carry out. For this test, you can collect a sample once again or let a professional do the task for you. The piece then goes to a laboratory. The test costs at least two-hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars, depending on the facility that offers the service.
The asbestos inspection comes after you have done a sampling. A certified worker will inspect your property and give you a full report. You can then send the document to a local abatement company, ask them for a service, and they will take care of the rest. The cost of this process depends on the scale of the property that needs checking. Some companies offer free inspections, letting you save a lot of money.
The physical sample is similar to the other modes of testing. Professionals come into your home, collect samplings, and send them to a lab for further research and analysis. Get ready to pay at least two-hundred or more dollars for this approach.
Air testing is one of the most expensive types of testing for asbestos. A professional will take an air sample of a location, collecting it with specialized equipment, and placing the extract into an exclusive container or filter. The specimen is then checked at a microscopic level to find out any signs of asbestos. The test costs more than five-hundred dollars to more than a thousand. This method cost is due to the sophistication of the job and the personnel’s equipment.
How Long Does An Asbestos Test Take?
A test’s duration depends on the type of test that you will carry out. But what makes it longer is the time that the samples spend in a laboratory or facility. Lab results range from two weeks to three weeks. There are options to expedite the process, where you get the conclusions faster than usual, but you have to prepare for higher fees for these kinds of tests.
A Final Thought
Asbestos testing is an investment that will benefit you a lot. Your home or property will be a better place to stay in once you make sure that asbestos is out of the picture, especially if your house is an old one. You can do the job of testing it out on your own, and it is not entirely illegal to do so. But it is better to call for a professional who will take care of things for you.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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