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Dustin was absolutely amazing. He did such a thorough job and was super friendly and helpful in explaining everything to me as a first-time homeowner. Highly recommend this company! Very timely and professional throughout the entire process as well!
18 2024
Buying a home itself is a stressful but exciting event. There’s so much to do, so many points to go over, and it requires lots of thought and effort. When a person is interested in buying a house, most of the time, they try to check some of the important parts of the house, like the electricity, plumbing, HVAC, etc. However, many people don’t think twice about the hidden risk of asbestos. Even though it is a particle that is banned in many places, unfortunately, it is still found in many homes in the United States, particularly in older houses. So, if you are suspicious about the presence of asbestos in the home you want to buy, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises asbestos testing. In this article, we will explore what asbestos testing is and why it’s important to test for asbestos.
In the 19th century, studies began to show that asbestos was a possible health hazard and shouldn’t be widely used. The World Health Organization classified asbestos as carcinogenic in the mid-20th century, and it has been shown that it has a strong correlation to lung, ovarian, and laryngeal cancer, mesothelioma, as well as pleural thickening. After years of research and study, it has been commonly agreed that asbestos exposure of any degree is a major health hazard and shouldn’t be used in any type of building. However, since older homes were built before this was shown, some of them still have asbestos, including components. Therefore, it is crucial to test for asbestos before buying a home.
By looking at something, it is impossible to determine if it contains asbestos. Furthermore, asbestos has no scent. Some people choose to conduct their own asbestos inspections; however, this is quite risky since they have the possibility of unintentionally disrupting asbestos-containing materials and therefore releasing asbestos fibers into the air, which could expose the person to asbestos fibers. If you believe there may be asbestos present, your choice should be working with a business that specializes in asbestos abatement. It is recommended to leave this kind of work to experts from asbestos firms because these types of jobs require extensive training and the appropriate safety equipment.
First, the professionals will examine the areas that potentially have asbestos. Then, they will take certain samples; these samples can be either from the air or from the exact location. After the samples are taken with the appropriate equipment, they will be sent to specific labs. In the labs, the chemical composition of the samples is tested, as is the appearance of the samples. This can be done with several methods, including phase contrast polarized light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. After examining the samples, the results will be reported and given to you.
If you have been suspecting asbestos or simply want to clarify this issue before buying a house, you’re at the right place. Atlanta Property Inspections is a home inspection company that clears all the questions in your head about your future home. We want the best for future homeowners as well as home sellers. It is easy to overlook a lot of issues when it comes to buying a new house, but with our home inspectors by your side, we make sure this process goes smoothly for you. Give our staff a call right now if you have any inquiries about home inspections in Buford.
