Common Building Materials Containing Asbestos

When investing in a property, you’re likely focused more on the potential of making money rather than your health and wellbeing. But a property can absolutely have an impact on our wellness.

You must consider everything from the types of materials used in construction to the year of construction when determining if a property is safe or not.

Unfortunately, asbestos was a popular construction material up until the 1980s. And as we know now, exposure to it can have serious health consequences like lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos and Buildings

Over a span of three decades, asbestos was common across various industries. But it was especially prevalent in the construction field commonly to insulate roofs and chimneys as well as for fireproofing and thermal control.

Because asbestos is most dangerous when it’s cracking, crumbling, or in need of repair, you need to know that even though we are nearly 50 years out from it’s heyday, there is still cause for concern.

Want to know more about asbestos in construction? Here are some of the most common materials that contain asbestos.

Pipes

Back in the day a method called pipe lagging was widely used and is the process of sealing and insulating pipes with an adhesive-soaked cloth. What was the preferred material? You guessed it—asbestos!

Adhesives

During this period asbestos was mixed with sealants, cement, and more to create strong adhesives to be used in lieu of nails and screws. You could find these adhesives in wood flooring, vinyl tiles, wallpaper, and even ceiling tile installation.

Boilers and Furnaces

Thanks to its ability to endure high-heat and highly combustible environments, asbestos was commonly used as liners around boilers and furnaces. It was particularly popular in industrial buildings.

Electrical and Wire Insulation

The fluffiness of asbestos allows it to slow down the transfer of heat from one material to another. It was made into a paneling that was believed to make electrical distribution systems safer. For homes and buildings built between 1930 and 1980, you’ll likely find asbestos in or around electrical systems.

Yes, asbestos is scary and it is serious, but we’re not saying all of this to scare you! We just want you to be aware of potential dangers so you can take the appropriate action. While most home inspectors or building inspectors don’t test for asbestos, they will notify you if your property is the right age to have special testing done.

It’s actually quite common to find materials containing asbestos and it’s recommended to have testing done before any type of remodel or renovation product. It’s your responsibility as a property owner to do your due diligence.

For more helpful information, tips, and breakdowns of things we’ve seen in the field, check out our blog!

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