Asbestos may have been the miracle mineral of yesteryear, but nowadays it’s just a lurking threat to the health of you and your family. If your home was built before the early 1980s, it’s a great idea to get an asbestos check-up. Checking for asbestos can be easy and quick, and it can all be done by a local expert in asbestos identification and abatement.
If you place a value on the health and safety of yourself and those around you, making sure you are aware of any asbestos or asbestos-containing materials in your home can be a crucial component. Not only can prolonged exposure lead to lung disease, but it can lead to things like asbestosis and mesothelioma. The fibers are so small that they cannot be seen by the naked eye once they’ve become dangerous by becoming dislodged. Here is why the best thing you can do to ensure you are fully aware of your home’s health is to get a professional asbestos check-up.
Top Reasons To Get An Asbestos Check-Up
There are countless reasons why it’s a smart idea to get an asbestos check-up if you’ve never had one before, but here are some of the most common reasons.
Exposure Can Take Decades To Mature
Once you have been exposed to asbestos, the negative consequences can sometimes take up to 40 years to present. When seeking compensation for potential exposure, filing claims as soon as possible is incredibly important, and the sooner the exposure is known about it, the sooner that examinations be made and prophylactic measures can be taken to try to get ahead of the potential dangers. If you move into a home that had an abatement done at some point, having a check-up done can help to ensure that it was done properly and that there are no lingering effects.
You Are Required To Disclose
If you live in a home that has a potential asbestos risk and you are moving to put the home on the market, you are going to have to tell potential buyers if there is a risk of asbestos contamination. This will generally apply to any building built in the 1970s or earlier but may have other stipulations. If you know about asbestos-containing materials being present in the building, you are legally obligated to disclose that to potential buyers. Knowing ahead of time can give you the chance to potentially remove that buyer leverage by having the asbestos abated beforehand.
You’re Planning A Renovation
If you’re planning to renovate or remodel and there is a risk of asbestos, you may be required by the contractor to have proof of negative asbestos tests.
Many Potential Health Issues Can Arise
Checking for asbestos is important because not only can it make you seriously and terminally ill, but it can create many different health issues in those who are exposed. The most common is mesothelioma, which is a group of closely-related cancers that develop from the scar tissue formed in the lungs around the embedded fibers. This is also one of the longest to develop and sometimes isn’t diagnosed until several decades after the exposure.
Another illness common to those exposed to asbestos is a pleural disease, which is a condition affecting the pleural tissue of the lungs, which makes it difficult to extract oxygen from the air and makes it feel like you are drowning. Asbestosis is another condition unique to those who have been exposed to asbestos.
Your Peace Of Mind
While this may not be worth as much to some as to others, one of the big reasons that people get an asbestos check-up is to maintain their own peace of mind that their home is free of contamination.
Partner With The LA Area’s Leading Asbestos Check-Up & Abatement Expert
If you are considering buying a home with potential asbestos contamination, getting an asbestos check-up beforehand is crucial to know if your home is going to be safe. Reach out today and discuss your needs with a member of our expert team, and we can get started on helping you meet those needs.
