Yes, perhaps minimal exposure to small amounts of asbestos isn't considered a health risk, but we all want to avoid the potentially dangerous element in our homes.

If you're planning to do any work, especially on your roof or in your walls, you need to know if you're in danger of being in contact with any asbestos. Here's a list of where asbestos can be found:

    •    Asbestos cement roof tiles
    •    Roofing felts
    •    Asbestos cement siding
    •    Resilient flooring (vinyl floor tiles, etc.)
    •    Acoustic ceiling tiles
    •    Stipple paint, spray coatings, patching and joint compounds
    •    Pipe wrap for hot water heating systems
    •    Thermal insulation on heating ducts and heating systems
    •    Door gaskets on furnaces, boilers, and wood stoves
    •    Insulation in walls and ceilings
    •    Vermiculite thermal insulation in attics and walls

Recommendation

If you suspect that materials in your home contain asbestos, you can have them tested. It is not possible to confirm whether a material contains asbestos from a visual inspection. Microscopic examination is required. An expert should be brought in to do the sampling and identification.

If the asbestos is in good condition, the best course of action by far is to leave the material alone. Asbestos is only a health risk if it is crumbling and damaged. If it shows minor localized damage, it can be repaired with a process called 'encapsulation' - the sealing of the asbestos fibers with a sealant that sticks the fibers together.

Risk

The biggest risk is attempting to remediate your asbestos situation on your own. Disturbing asbestos usually makes it become dangerous to your health. In most cases, the best course of action is to contact a certified home inspector to detect the asbestos, then hire a qualified handyman to safely do any work that involves this hazardous material.

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