Don't Play Renovation Roulette- Look For Asbestos In These Three Common Locations

Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious medical problems. Since asbestos was a common construction material in the past, renovating an older home could put you at risk for asbestos exposure. Don't play renovation roulette when it comes to dealing with asbestos.

Here are three common locations where asbestos can be found in the home. Inspect these locations before you begin your renovation project to avoid becoming ill in the future.

1. Old Generators

If your home is equipped with an old generator that you are ready to get rid of, it's important to check for asbestos before you remove the generator. 

One of the attractive properties of asbestos is its ability to resist catching fire when exposed to an open flame. Asbestos even has the ability to contain flames in order to prevent additional damage. It is these fire-resistant characteristics that motivated many generator manufacturers to include asbestos in their products. 

Be sure that you take the time to ensure you won't be at risk for asbestos exposure when removing an old generator from your home.

2. Old Electrical Outlets

If your home has older electrical wiring that needs to be updated, it's important that you remain vigilant as you remove electrical outlets. Electricians of the past commonly used felted asbestos as an insulator around wiring.

The same fire-resistant properties that made asbestos an attractive product to guard against fire in generators caused electricians to secure wiring, breaker boxes, and even electrical turbines against fire. Be sure that you check carefully for the presence of asbestos as you update the electrical system in your home.

3. Roof Gutters

Replacing broken or worn roof gutters is a great way to protect your home from water damage. If your home has an asbestos cement roof, you need to be careful when cleaning out debris from your roofing gutters before removing them from your home.

Since asbestos cement shingles were manufactured into the 1980's, it's possible that pieces of these asbestos roofing materials have chipped away and been flushed into your roof gutters over time. Since the asbestos fibers found in damaged shingles may be loose, they can easily become airborne and cause significant health problems.

Asbestos can be found in many places throughout your home. Before you begin any major remodeling project, be sure that you take the time to check for the presence of asbestos. Hire a professional to remove the asbestos before continuing your project.

For more information, visit http://www.arguspacific.com or a similar website.

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