Newer homes may be in the clear, but older homes might fall victim to asbestos. Not sure what asbestos is? Don’t worry, our team at Best Price Homebuyers will explain what it is, the dangers associated with it and, most importantly, how to sell my house fast for cash if it has asbestos.
What is asbestos?
You’ve probably seen asbestos without knowing it, either while sitting in an older church or school building. Asbestos is commonly found in buildings built before the 1970s, as it was a common material used for roofing, as insulation in walls and for pipes, to strengthen cement and to help with sound absorption. These six materials fall into the asbestos category:
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Chrysotile
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Amosite
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Crocidolite
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Anthophyllite
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Tremolite
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Actinolite
Asbestos can commonly be found in ceilings, walls, roofs, floors, insulation and cement sheets. The kinds of asbestos that you can most likely find in your home are chrysotile and amosite, which are the most common types of asbestos and make up 95% of all asbestos in the world.
Why is it dangerous?
Asbestos is considered to be a hazardous material due to its having fibers that can cause severe health issues. If asbestos is inhaled, scar tissue can form on the lungs which eventually causes the lungs to decrease in their ability to function properly. Asbestos exposure can also cause cancer and other health issues, including:
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Pleural effusions
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Pleural plaques
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Pleuritis
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Diffuse pleural thickening
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COPD
Check your home for asbestos
If you know your home was built before 1980 then it is fair to assume that asbestos might be present in your home. There are areas you can check where builders would commonly use asbestos products, such as:
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Insulation around pipes, air ducts, stoves and furnaces
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Floor tiles
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Roofing tiles, shingles and outdoor siding
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Soundproofing on walls and ceiling
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Textured ceilings or walls like popcorn ceilings
Asbestos is mainly found to be a threat if the product is damaged, causing the fibers to be airborne. If you find asbestos but the product is intact, it is not a threat and it is advised to leave it alone.
Sell my house fast for cash
Ditch the extra stress of ridding your property of toxic materials and sell my house fast for cash to Best Price Homebuyers! Contact us today to work with Best Price Homebuyers for a fast and easy process that will get you a cash offer quickly.