Asbestos was commonly used as a construction material in the US up until the 1980s. Being a good insulator, it was widely used in pipe insulation, building insulation, and even in fabrics. In the late 1990s, it was discovered that asbestos fibers are extremely dangerous to the respiratory system when exposed and inhaled, capable of causing death in extreme cases.

Therefore, if you own a Chicago home that was built during this time, it is imperative that you’re aware of all the common places that may contain asbestos.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the key areas where you might find asbestos in your home:

Insulation

Asbestos was most commonly used as an insulation material in both commercial and residential properties. It is often located in cavity walls, under floorboards, and in ceilings. Out of the different forms of asbestos, loose asbestos is the most dangerous, as it can easily be released into the air if the fibers are disturbed.

Ceiling Tiles

Asbestos insulation board (AIB) is another common place where you may find asbestos in the home. AIB was previously used as fireproofing material, but it’s also commonly found as ceiling tiles in some older constructions. It can be very difficult to decipher if a particular ceiling tile contains asbestos or not, which raises the risk posed by this form of asbestos.

Asbestos Cement

Few are aware of the fact that asbestos can be commonly found in cement as well. Since the cement mixture containing asbestos produced a stronger finished product, it was often used by many builders and fabricators. As a property owner, you might be completely unaware that your home’s foundation or commercial space contains asbestos cement, since it looks exactly like ordinary cement.

Textured Coatings

Textured coatings are another place where asbestos could potentially exist. Many older houses and properties have walls and ceilings with textured coatings. These types of coatings were very popular during the 1970s and 1980s. If your home has ceilings that have textured coatings, there’s a possibility that they contain asbestos.

Sprayed Coatings

Asbestos was widely present in many sprayed insulation coatings that were applied to the underside of walls and roofs, and they are mostly found in commercial and industrial premises. Since these sprayed coatings contain a considerably high percentage of asbestos, just a small amount of disturbance or damage to them can release a very large quantity of asbestos fibers into the air.

Here are some other common areas in the home where asbestos may be present:

• Air conditioning ducts
• Asbestos felts
• External roofs and walls
• Fuse blankets and ceramic fuses in switchboards
• Gas meter covers
• Gutters
• Internal walls
• Sealant between the wall and floor slab
• Caulking compounds and adhesives
• Roof tiles
• Packing spaces between floor joists and piers

Keep in mind, as long as asbestos is undisturbed, it does not cause harm. However, when airborne, asbestos fibers can cause several health complications. Although asbestos that remains intact is not an immediate threat, it’s still very important that you have it removed. If you suspect the presence of asbestos in your home, it is best to consult a professional Chicago asbestos removal service.

Get Professional Help from a Chicago Asbestos Testing and Asbestos Removal Company

Do you need asbestos removed from your Chicago commercial property or home? Are you seeking professional abatement services to have it taken care of? If so, we at Axis Response Group are the people to see.

Our team of licensed asbestos removal specialists has worked in many properties throughout the Chicago area and beyond. If you are looking for a quick and safe asbestos removal, we’re the company to call.

Contact us today to discuss your needs!