Where Asbestos Can be Found: In the Home

The amount of asbestos that can be found within a home depends on when the home was built or renovated. If the house, or anything in it, was built before the mid-1970s, there is a good chance of finding asbestos-containing materials. However, asbestos was still used in homes though the 1980s and is found in construction products made today. These materials can be found in a variety of places ranging from the roof to the basement.

Asbestos materials that are difficult to locate include vinyl wall coverings, ceiling tiles, and sprayed or troweled on "popcorn" textured coatings. For these products, the only way to find the asbestos-containing fibers is to scientifically sample them for testing by using an EPA-certified lab.

It is important to determine if asbestos is located in the water or steam pipes. If the pipes do contain asbestos, they are safe as long as they are not damaged by water leaks or by children playing nearby. It is best to coat them with modern protection such as plastic sheeting or sprays that will harden and encapsulate the asbestos fibers. These protections, however, will make it more difficult to remove the insulation and will have to be removed at a later date. Most states and/or municipalities require separate removal and proper disposal of all asbestos-containing materials when any building is demolished, or when an area is renovated where such materials are present.