Asbestos Home Inspection
Homes built before 1990 are more likely to contain asbestos products. The only method to confirm the presence of asbestos is by means of a laboratory analysis. This is beyond the scope of a visual home inspection.
Asbestos is only a health hazard if it becomes friable (airborne) and this will only become problematic if you intend to complete renovation or alteration of the house where potential asbestos containing material may be disturbed.
If asbestos is confirmed as being present, then this may have a financial implication due to the high cost of removal of the contaminated products by licensed contractors.
Where is asbestos found?
The common areas where asbestos products may be found are: drywall, loose fill attic insulation such as vermiculite, asbestos cement products, acoustic tiles, flooring materials such as vinyl tiles and linoleum.
Vermiculite under glass fibre attic insulation (grey granular material). Not all vermiculite contains asbestos. If found, all vermiculite should be laboratory tested for asbestos.
White “bandage” type duct tape may contain asbestos (laboratory test required to confirm).
Resources
Work safe BC produce a guide showing the possible locations and appropriate advice for dealing with asbestos. Here is a link to their website where this information can be obtained:
