Have you been thinking about renovating and remodeling your home? Or perhaps you are interested in investing in an older home and upgrading it to suit your requirements? Either way, in today’s day and age it isn’t very hard for homeowners to attempt changing things up around their homes themselves by using their own tools and store-bought materials.
However, before you start knocking down the ceilings and walls, it is important to know about the risks of exposure to asbestos – a building material commonly used in construction and insulation for several years.
Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos has natural properties that make it an extremely inexpensive fire retardant but exposure to this mineral can have devastating effects on your health. If inhaled, Asbestos fibers can damage lung tissue and heavy exposure can lead to lung cancer as well.
It is particularly dangerous because it is quite impossible to identify it on your own as it is encompassed within construction material.
Where Can Asbestos Commonly Be Found?
Although its use over the years has significantly declined, in older homes, Asbestos can commonly be found in floorings, walls and ceilings. It is used in insulation, roof shingles, ductwork, certain floor and ceiling tiles as well as in glues used under flooring.
It can become dangerous to your health when contaminated materials have been damaged or broken down which is usually what happens when remodeling work is taking place. The physical impact of remodeling homes using drilling, sawing, sanding etc. causes Asbestos fibers to become airborne. Once these fibers are airborne, they can easily enter your airways through inhalation and cause breathing and other respiratory problems to your health.
What Can You Do To Avoid Asbestos Exposure?
Before you begin thinking of remodeling your home, it would be wise to take a few preventive measures. While taking stock of structures around the home, if you suspect Asbestos is present, it would be best to leave it alone and call a professional to come and assess the material. Even the slightest bit of pressure or movement can instantly release the harmful microscopic fibers, which can then spread through the air and dust inside the home.
Renovating Your Home Safely
An expert would not only be able to determine the presence of Asbestos but would also know how to handle and dispose the material without allowing it to become a threat to your health.
So, if you do suspect the presence of Asbestos in your home, there’s no need to panic or give up on all your plans of remodeling just yet. By having your home inspected before time and having the safe removal of Asbestos worked out, you have the path clear to start tearing down what you don’t want and bringing to life the plans you have been drawing up for your remodeling project.
To find out more about remodeling and renovating Leesburg Homes, call us today and our team would be happy to share their expert opinion and experience with you.
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