Does a Home Inspection Check for Asbestos? Home inspections primarily focus on structural aspects like plumbing, electrical systems, and the foundation, but they do not include testing for asbestos unless requested. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials, especially in homes built before the 1980s. In fact, 1 in 3 homes built before this period may contain asbestos. The mineral is safe when left undisturbed, but if it’s disturbed, it can release harmful fibers that cause serious health risks, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
If you’re concerned about the presence of asbestos, a separate asbestos inspection is necessary. Crown Asbestos Removal offers professional, certified asbestos inspections and removal services in Australia, helping to keep your home or business safe. With years of experience and a team of fully licensed and insured professionals, we ensure that your property is asbestos-free, providing peace of mind with every job.
What Is Asbestos and Why Is It Dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made of microscopic fibers that are heat-resistant, strong, and have excellent insulating properties. Because of these qualities, asbestos was used in many building materials, such as insulation, roofing, flooring, and cement products, especially in homes built before the 1980s.
Although it was once considered a “wonder material” due to its durability and versatility, asbestos is now known to be highly dangerous to health. When materials containing asbestos are disturbed, the tiny fibers can become airborne. These fibers are so small that they can be inhaled without even realizing it. Once inhaled, they can lodge in the lungs and other parts of the body, leading to serious health problems later on.
Health Risks of Asbestos
Exposure to asbestos can cause a range of severe health conditions, some of which may take years or even decades to develop. The most common health issues linked to asbestos exposure are:
- Asbestosis: This is a chronic lung disease caused by scarring of lung tissue due to inhaling asbestos fibers. It leads to breathing difficulties, coughing, and long-term lung damage. People who have worked in industries like construction or shipbuilding, where they were regularly exposed to asbestos, are most at risk. Asbestosis can take anywhere from 10 to 20 years to develop after exposure.
- Mesothelioma: This is a rare but aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. It affects the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning it may take 20 to 50 years for symptoms to appear after exposure. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year, and it’s almost always linked to asbestos exposure.
- Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure is a major cause of lung cancer, especially for people who smoke. In fact, people who are exposed to asbestos and smoke are at 50 times higher risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers who have been exposed. Lung cancer may develop 15 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
- Pleural Thickening: This condition occurs when the lining of the lungs (called the pleura) becomes thickened and scarred due to asbestos exposure. It can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. While it may not be as severe as other asbestos-related diseases, it can still significantly affect the quality of life.
Why Homeowners Should Be Concerned
If your home was built before the 1980s, it’s possible that asbestos is present in some building materials. In fact, a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 125 million people worldwide are still exposed to asbestos at the workplace or in their homes. Homes built before the 1980s may contain asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, roofing, cement sheets, and pipe lagging.
While asbestos is safe when undisturbed, any activity that disturbs asbestos-containing materials, such as renovations or repairs, can release harmful fibers into the air. This is especially risky for families or workers in the home who may not even realize that they are being exposed to these harmful fibers.
If you suspect asbestos is in your home, it’s important to take immediate action. Crown Asbestos Removal specializes in asbestos inspection canberra and removals in Australia. With years of experience and certified professionals, we ensure that your home is safe from harmful asbestos exposure. If you’re based in the UK, we can help guide you in finding the right professionals for your needs.Does a Home Inspection Check for Asbestos?
Asbestos Inspections: Essential for Older Homes
When it comes to buying a home, many people wonder if a home inspection will check for asbestos. The short answer is no, most standard home inspections do not include asbestos testing. Home inspectors typically focus on the condition of the property’s structure, plumbing, electrical systems, and roofing. Asbestos, on the other hand, is considered a hazardous material, and inspecting it requires a specialized approach.
Asbestos is commonly found in older buildings, especially those built before the 1980s, when its harmful effects became more widely known. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asbestos exposure is responsible for over 107,000 deaths each year worldwide, making it a serious concern for homeowners, especially when buying older properties. Standard home inspections don’t cover these specific materials unless explicitly requested.
Therefore, if you’re considering purchasing an older home or renovating one, it’s crucial to schedule a separate asbestos inspection. Not having this inspection can result in costly and dangerous consequences if asbestos is discovered later, especially when the risks of exposure increase during renovation or demolition.
How Can You Ensure Asbestos Is Checked?
If you suspect that your property might contain asbestos-particularly if it was built before 1980-it’s essential to arrange for a specialized asbestos inspection. Regular home inspectors are not trained or equipped to detect asbestos, so it’s important to hire a certified professional who is experienced in handling asbestos materials safely.
In a typical asbestos inspection, the expert will look for common materials that may contain asbestos, such as ceiling tiles, floor tiles, insulation, and roofing materials. According to the Australian Government‘s Department of Health, about 1 in 3 homes built before 1980 may contain asbestos-containing materials. A certified professional will conduct an inspection, take samples of any suspect materials, and send them to a laboratory for testing.
If you’re in Australia, Crown Asbestos Removal is here to help. We offer certified asbestos inspections to ensure your property is safe. Our team of licensed professionals uses the latest techniques to detect and assess asbestos presence in your home, giving you peace of mind.
For those in the UK, although we primarily operate in Australia, we can guide you on finding trusted and licensed asbestos inspectors. Make sure you select professionals with the proper certifications and experience to handle potential asbestos issues in your property.
To give you a better idea of how likely your home is to contain asbestos based on its year of construction, here is a breakdown of the percentages:
Percentage of Homes Likely to Contain Asbestos by Year of Construction
| Year of Construction | Percentage of Homes Likely to Contain Asbestos |
| Before 1980 | 33% |
| 1970-1980 | 50% |
| 1950-1970 | 70% |
| Pre-1950 | 90% |
The Home Buying Process and Asbestos
When you’re buying a home, especially one built before the 1980s, it’s important to think about more than just the aesthetic and structural condition of the property. You also need to consider potential hazards such as asbestos. Asbestos was a common material used in building construction until the 1980s, but it can be harmful to your health if disturbed.
Asbestos was often used in areas like ceilings, walls, insulation, and flooring due to its fire-resistant properties. It was also used in roofing and even pipe insulation. This means homes that were built before the 1980s could have asbestos in these areas. In fact, an estimated 1 in 3 homes (approximately 33%) built before the 1980s in the UK have some form of asbestos.
Not all homes with asbestos are dangerous. The material is only a risk when it’s disturbed, for example, during a renovation or repair. Once disturbed, asbestos fibers can become airborne and inhaled, leading to serious health problems such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Therefore, including an asbestos inspection during the home buying process is crucial.
At Crown Asbestos Removal, we recommend that buyers of older properties get an asbestos inspection done to avoid health risks and unforeseen costs down the road. If you’re purchasing a home in Australia or the UK, it’s wise to have experts conduct a certified asbestos inspection to confirm whether or not it’s present.
The Risks of Not Testing for Asbestos
Choosing to skip an asbestos test can expose you to serious risks. Asbestos, if left undisturbed, might not pose an immediate danger, but any renovation or disturbance can release dangerous fibers into the air. Every year, 4,500 people in the UK die from diseases related to asbestos exposure, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This statistic highlights the long-term danger of asbestos in homes, even if it appears safe. This means 1 in 10 asbestos-related deaths are connected to non-occupational exposure, such as during home renovations.
Health risks from asbestos exposure are not immediate, but they are very serious. Asbestos fibers can remain in the lungs for years and even decades before causing diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. In fact, mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of cancer directly linked to asbestos exposure. The average survival rate for people diagnosed with mesothelioma is less than 12 months, emphasizing how critical it is to ensure your home is asbestos-free.
In addition to health risks, failing to check for asbestos can hurt your home’s value. Asbestos removal can cost anywhere between £2,000 to £5,000 in the UK depending on the extent of the contamination. Buyers will be more likely to demand a lower price or even pull out of the deal if they discover asbestos is present. Asbestos removal costs can often be up to 50% of the overall renovation budget if it’s not identified upfront.
Hiring a certified professional like Crown Asbestos Removal ensures that asbestos is safely identified, removed, and disposed of. Our experts follow the highest industry standards to ensure your safety and the safety of future homeowners.
What Happens After an Asbestos Inspection?
Once an asbestos inspection is completed and asbestos is found, the next step is safe and certified removal. Crown Asbestos Removal follows a detailed, industry-approved process to remove asbestos from your home safely.
The first step is containment. The area where the asbestos is found is sealed off to prevent any fibers from spreading. Specialized equipment is used to keep the area secure during removal.
Next, the asbestos is carefully removed using safety gear and techniques designed to minimize any release of dangerous fibers. Once removed, asbestos waste is properly disposed of in certified facilities that follow local regulations to ensure safe disposal.
After removal, the area is thoroughly cleaned to ensure no residual fibers are left behind. This includes using HEPA vacuums and wet methods to safely clean surfaces. Finally, a final inspection is conducted to confirm that all asbestos has been removed and the area is safe for habitation.
Even though Crown Asbestos Removal operates in Australia, these processes are the same in the UK. Our expert team ensures that all asbestos removal and disposal is done safely, protecting the health of homeowners and future residents.
By opting for asbestos inspection and removal with a certified company like Crown Asbestos Removal, you can avoid the risks associated with asbestos exposure and protect your property’s value and your health.
How to Choose the Right Asbestos Removal Company
When choosing the right asbestos removal service, safety, experience, and trustworthiness should be your top priorities. With the serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure, you want to make sure the company you hire has the right qualifications and expertise to do the job safely.
Certification and Licensing are non-negotiable. Always hire a company that is fully licensed and certified. In Australia, companies must comply with strict regulations set by the Australian Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (AASAE). This certification ensures the company follows the best practices for safe removal and disposal of asbestos. Always ask for proof of their certification.
Experience is key. A company with years of experience is better equipped to handle various asbestos-related issues. Crown Asbestos Removal has over 95% of customers rating our service as excellent due to our long history of safe and efficient asbestos removal projects. Our certified experts know how to handle any situation, ensuring the job is done right and health risks are minimized.
Insurance is vital for your peace of mind. Crown Asbestos Removal is fully insured, providing protection to both our workers and clients. Without proper insurance, you may be liable for accidents or damages during the removal process.
Eco-Friendly Practices are also important. Crown Asbestos Removal follows environmentally safe disposal methods, ensuring that asbestos is handled responsibly and doesn’t harm the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that improper disposal of asbestos poses significant risks to human health and wildlife, so it’s crucial to work with a company that takes eco-friendly disposal seriously.
Final thoughts
When it comes to protecting your home or workplace, checking for asbestos is a critical step, especially in older buildings. Asbestos can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, if not handled properly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asbestos exposure is responsible for around 107,000 deaths every year worldwide. This makes it essential to ensure that any potential asbestos issues are dealt with quickly and safely.
If you suspect that your property has asbestos, don’t wait to get it inspected. Crown Asbestos Removal is a trusted, licensed, and insured company that specializes in professional asbestos inspections and safe removal services. Our team of certified experts follows the highest safety standards and uses eco-friendly practices to make sure your space is asbestos-free.
Our services are available not just in Australia, but we also provide guidance and expert referrals to help UK clients safely manage any asbestos concerns. Contact Crown Asbestos Removal today for a consultation, and we will help you ensure that your property is safe and healthy for everyone.
