How Do Professionals Detect Asbestos in Buildings?
It’s impossible to detect asbestos by simply looking around a room. Instead, a team of professionals must investigate!
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends testing buildings for asbestos if there are damaged areas or plans for construction. The preliminary step safeguards construction workers and inhabitants from breathing in the hazardous fiber.
But how do the experts detect it in buildings? Continue reading to find out just how professionals test for asbestos in all types of facilities.
Professionals Begin With a Field Inspection
The asbestos team doesn’t start by tearing apart rooms and collecting samples left and right. They start slowly with a visual inspection of each space.
The team examines areas of concern that are likely to contain dangerous fibers. Some of the features that are under close inspection for asbestos include:
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Concrete
- Popcorn ceilings
- Plaster walls
- Insulation
- Caulk
- Adhesives
- Roofing shingles
- Siding
A Key Component To Remember
The tricky part about asbestos is that if it’s undisturbed, the fiber is safe. It won’t harm individuals through consumption or inhalation.
However, a broken surface will release the otherwise harmless substance. Asbestos inspections are essential when there’s any reason for construction or repairs to a house or building.
The Team Takes the Samples Back to a Lab
The samples collected at each location are taken to a laboratory for further testing. A laboratory technician will carefully examine each sample beneath a microscope to search for asbestos.
If there’s no asbestos detected in the sample, that region of the room is in the clear. Samples that do test positive for asbestos will require expert removal to ensure the space is safe from airborne fibers.
The Waiting Period Varies From Case to Case
Homeowners aren’t the only people who request asbestos testing. People who own spacious office buildings or landlords in charge of apartment complexes must keep their structures in check, too.
Home inspections to identify asbestos will only take two to three hours. But expansive buildings could take a few days to inspect due to their vast size.
The timeline for results varies for each job. Some companies could have the results ready in as little as 24 hours, while others might return the information within 10 days. Throughout the waiting period, remember to avoid disturbing any of the areas of concern to protect yourself from potential asbestos.
The final result will determine the next step for your home, apartment complex, or office. If the professionals detect asbestos in the building, they will schedule a time to safely remove it.
The initial testing process is the best place to start. Then, an amazing team of asbestos experts can eliminate the precarious asbestos fibers from the environment to ensure the facility is safe for everyone.
