Asbestos in Your Home: Where is it Located?

Identifying Asbestos in Your Home

If your home was built before the 1980’s, there’s a good chance that there is asbestos-containing materials located throughout your home. While asbestos can be potentially dangerous to your health, it is less likely to pose a health risk if asbestos-containing materials are in good condition or are not disturbed or manipulated.

Whether you rent or own a home, it’s a wise idea to get a general idea of where asbestos may be located in your home so you can monitor any changes or sudden damages and limit any exposure to asbestos containing materials.

Exterior Asbestos Risks

Outside of the Home Even if you have materials containing asbestos on the outside of your home, it’s still important that they are in good condition. The following materials that make up the outside of your home may contain asbestos:

• Gutters
• Tar Paper on the Roof
• Soffits made with Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB)
• Exterior window panels
• Roofing Materials for flat roofs and sometimes used in shingles
• Deck undersheeting
• Window putty

Remember, if anything looks suspicious or damaged, never try to fix or remove on your own. Even if you wear protective gear such as gloves or a face mask, you aren’t properly protecting yourself from dangerous asbestos fibers.

Inside of the Home

The interior of your home could be filled with many asbestos containing materials and are likely to be more dangerous to you and your family due to the increase of consistent contact or exposure. Locations where asbestos could be present includes, but is not limited to:

• Basement: Heat source covering, air duct lining, clothes dryers, water heaters

• Throughout the House: Vinyl flooring, tiles, wood stoves, sprayed-on acoustical ceilings or acoustical ceiling tiles, textured paint, blown-in or batt insulation.

Some other items that many people may not consider are ironing board pads or pot holders.

What to Do if You Suspect Asbestos

If you suspect asbestos in your home or come across some damaged material, don’t panic and don’t remove it without contacting an asbestos removal professional or an asbestos inspector. Even if you think that quickly tearing down a piece of damaged insulation can do little to no harm, you could be disturbing asbestos and release the harmful fibers into your living space.