How to Identify Asbestos, Mold, and/or Lead In Your Home

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Asbestos

Asbestos is often found in older homes (built before the 1980s) and can be present in various building materials such as insulation, roofing, flooring, and textured paints. To identify asbestos, look for:

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• 1-  Asbestos Roof Flashing: This type of ACM is usually found in flat roofs built before 1989.  It might be mixed with insulation, tar membrane, etc.

• 2-  Asbestos Pipe Insulation: There are a few different types of asbestos pipe insulation.  It is always best to test it to determine the presence of asbestos. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most common forms of asbestos.

• 3-  Asbestos Window Glazing: This type of ACM is commonly found in old wood and steel windows.

• 4-  Asbestos Transite Siding: These thin cement boards are commonly found in residential siding (sometimes covered under vinyl or aluminum siding).  It is also found in ceilings tiles mostly used in commercial buildings (but it might be found in residential as well).  It is also found installed as wall panels in old factories.

• 5-  Asbestos Linoleum Floor: These older sheeting floors very often test positive for asbestos.

• 6-  Vermiculite Insulation: This is not asbestos itself but is not a safe way to determine if it contains asbestos or not. It was cross-contaminated while being extracted from mines. EPA recommends to treat vermiculite as asbestos-containing material.

  • There is a Grant available for property owners who have vermiculite on their properties. We can help with the Grant Application.

  • This type of material could be found in attics, behind walls and under hardwood floors.

• 7-  Asbestos Ceiling Glue Pods: This form of asbestos is often found on the old ceiling tiles that are glued to concrete or wood surfaces.

• 8-  Asbestos Duct Tape: This can be found in HVAC ducts, sealing the seams and joints.

• 9-  Asbestos Duct Wrapping: This material can be found around HVAC ducts in Basements, Attics and behind walls. It is recommended to remove these forms of asbestos wrapping or tape before performing a duct cleaning, to prevent it becoming airborne.

• 10-  Asbestos Floor Tile and/or Mastic: This is also another very common form of asbestos, found in residential and commercial buildings. The floor tile is often associated with black mastic. When the mastic is on concrete, it could be removed using a chemical (mastic remover or abrasive methods. When on wood subfloors, the subfloors need to be removed. Removing the tile only and encapsulating the mastic is a common practice as well.

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If you suspect asbestos in your home, it is essential to hire a licensed asbestos inspector to collect samples and conduct testing. Avoid disturbing potential asbestos-containing materials until a professional assessment is completed.

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Mold

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp and humid conditions. It can be found in various areas of your home, especially in places prone to moisture. To identify mold, look for:

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• Visible growth: Mold often appears as black, green, or white patches on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces.

• Musty odor: A strong musty or earthy smell in certain areas may indicate mold growth.

• Water damage: If your home has experienced water leaks or flooding, mold may develop in affected areas.

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For mold identification, you can conduct a visual inspection. However, if the mold growth is extensive or you suspect toxic mold, it's best to hire a professional mold remediation company to assess and handle the situation.

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Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that was used in paints and other household products before it was banned for residential use in the late 1970s. To identify lead in your home:

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• Check the age of your home: If it was built before 1978, it may have lead-based paint.

• Inspect paint: Lead-based paint may appear chalky and can be various colors, including white, gray, or pastels.

• Test paint and dust: Lead test kits are available for DIY testing of paint and dust in your home.

• Look for deteriorating paint: Lead-based paint can chip or peel, creating a potential hazard.

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If you suspect lead in your home, especially if you have young children, it is crucial to hire a certified lead inspector or risk assessor to conduct proper testing and advise on mitigation measures.
 

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