Whether your home is on the market, or you’re looking to buy, one of the most nerve wracking moments of the process is likely to be the Home Inspection. As the home inspector combs through the property, thoroughly looking for issues that could present a problem for the new owners, the likelihood is that they will find something. But what if they found Asbestos? Is it a deal breaker?
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that was, at one time, viewed as a “miracle material” for its durability, sound dampening, and resistance to fire and heat. For this reason, it was found to be a great product for pipe insulation, acoustical treatments, surfacing materials, floor tile, and home insulation. Unfortunately, over time, we came to learn a lot more about the hazards and cancer risk related to Asbestos exposure, which is why it is often recommended by home inspectors to have it removed.
Is Asbestos a deal breaker?
No. Once removed, Asbestos is no longer a hazard.
How severe is the Asbestos issue?
The severity of an Asbestos Abatement project is largely determined by the amount of Asbestos Containing Material (Pipe Insulation, surfacing material, floor tile) and its condition. While precautions will still be made, and the area contained to prevent cross contamination during the work process, Asbestos Containing Material in poor condition may create additional work such as detailed cleaning of contents or floor surfaces.
What is there to consider?
The State of Pennsylvania requires that all Asbestos Abatement Companies be Licensed to perform this work (Disaster Blaster’s License # is: C0693A). You can find a full list of Licensed Asbestos Abatement Companies in your area on the State’s Asbestos Services Directory under Certified Asbestos Abatement Contractors.
What about repairs and additional steps?
With Asbestos Abatement, you are essentially removing the Asbestos Containing Material, which will generally require a suitable replacement. For example, once Asbestos Pipe Wrap is removed, you may wish to replace it with a currently available product. Asbestos Floor Tile will need to be replaced with a vinyl product. These Repairs will need to be evaluated and addressed with your contractor in order to ensure that the work can be scheduled and completed in a timely manner. Generally, as the materials being removed are known at the beginning of the project, a contractor can prepare an estimate at any time during the project and the repairs can begin once the Asbestos Abatement has completed.
How long does an Asbestos Abatement take?
The duration of an Asbestos Abatement is largely dependent on the amount of and condition of the Asbestos Containing Material and the complexity of the containment. Your Asbestos Abatement Contractor should be able to give you an estimated timeframe and completion date. Once the active Asbestos Abatement services are completed however, air scrubbing to remove possible asbestos fibers that may be in the air, must be performed and generally takes around 3 additional days.
Repairs, similar to the Asbestos Abatement services, can vary greatly depending on how much work is necessary and whether any items are special order. When getting estimates for the repair services, it’s always a good idea to get a timeframe from the contractor and to also ask them when they would be available to start. Due to the limitations on time that a closing often creates, it is important to ensure that your contractor is able to begin the project timely.
We hope you found this information helpful! As every Asbestos issue is unique, it is always best to contact a qualified Asbestos Abatement Company in order to get accurate and specific recommendations and information. Being proudly Licensed by The State of Pennsylvania to offer Asbestos Abatement Services, our offices are specially qualified to assist you and are always happy to help. Please don’t hesitate to Contact your local Disaster Blaster office should your home inspector find anything that we can assist you with!
*This information is provided for informational purposes only and may not be representative of your unique situation. We encourage you to have a qualified company inspect and make recommendations specific to your situation. This information is not intended as legal advice.
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