When most people hear the word “asbestos,” they immediately think about the danger it poses to people. It’s true that asbestos has been linked to several different types of cancer and breathing it in can have serious side effects on your health. However, there’s still much that people don’t know about asbestos and why it was used in flooring installation in decades past.
Asbestos flooring was frequently used in home construction prior to 1979. If your home was constructed after 1985, the chance of there being asbestos in your flooring significantly drops. For older homes, asbestos flooring was often used for its durability and fire resistance. The asbestos fibers are typically covered up by tile work or vinyl flooring, and when your flooring is undisturbed and in good condition, the asbestos doesn’t pose the same threat that it does if it were exposed.
Unfortunately, because several decades have passed since the asbestos flooring in older homes was installed, it’s quite likely that if your home has asbestos flooring, it has been disturbed. Home remodeling and restoration work, water damage, and even natural wear and tear that come with time can expose the asbestos underneath your floors. This should be addressed as soon as possible by accredited asbestos removal technicians.
If you suspect that your older home has asbestos flooring that has released asbestos fibers into your home, call us here at Remtech Environmental. Because of the severe health concerns associated with breathing in asbestos, you don’t want to wait to have this material removed from your home. We’ll safely remove the asbestos so you can rest easily knowing that your home is free of this dangerous substance.