Asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral that most people have heard about — however, not everyone knows what it looks like or where it can be found in a building. If you own or manage a commercial building, it’s important to know if and where you have an asbestos problem in your building so you can be proactive about it.

Below, this asbestos removal contractor in Hoffman Estates, Illinois is going to share some insight on how to identify asbestos in your building.

What does asbestos look like?

Identifying asbestos just by looking at it is not easy because asbestos fibers are microscopic and can vary in color and texture depending on the type of asbestos it is. On top of that, when asbestos is mixed with other construction materials, it looks similar. For example, asbestos-containing tiles, wall panels, or insulation don’t look much different from regular ones, which makes it nearly impossible to spot asbestos just by eyeballing the building materials.

To confirm the presence of asbestos, you’ll need to have a licensed asbestos removal contractor in Hoffman Estates, Illinois survey the building, inspect the materials, and send samples to a lab for testing.

Where can you find asbestos in your commercial building?

Asbestos was extremely popular in public and commercial construction before the 1980s because of its fiber strength and resistance to heat. Unfortunately, this means that you can find it in places where you least expect it to be. Here are some places where you can find asbestos in your commercial building:

Ceiling tiles and panels: Asbestos was once the most popular material for ceiling tiles because of its fireproofing and fire prevention properties. If your commercial building was built before the 1980s, there is a chance you could find asbestos in the drop ceilings or ceiling tiles.

Insulation around pipes, boilers, and ducts: Asbestos was also very common in insulation, especially in commercial buildings with large HVAC systems and water supplies. You can find it in places like the insulation on pipes, boiler wraps, and duct coverings.

Flooring materials: You might be surprised to find out that vinyl floor tiles and sheets can contain asbestos.

Roofing materials and exterior siding: Asbestos used to be a common additive in roofing materials like shingles and siding. If you see any old, corrugated roofs, especially on garages or industrial buildings, they might have asbestos in the cement or siding.

You should only trust licensed asbestos removal.

Asbestos is only a problem when those microscopic fibers are disturbed, float in the air, and are inhaled. This is why you must confirm its presence in your building and handle it safely. But beware — if you are handling an asbestos situation on your own or without a professional team, you could accidentally put everyone in the building at risk of asbestos exposure.

Any good asbestos removal contractor in Hoffman Estates, Illinois will have the training, licensing, and experience to find and remove asbestos in the safest possible way. With in-depth inspections, they can find asbestos even in the most hidden areas and make sure it is removed safely.

If your commercial building was built before the 1980s, there is a good chance you will find asbestos in one or more areas. Asbestos exposure can be dangerous, so you must hire a licensed asbestos abatement team to identify and handle asbestos before you start any big projects.

Looking for an Asbestos Removal Contractor in Hoffman Estates, Illinois?

Have you recently found asbestos in your commercial building? If you are ready to have it safely inspected and, if necessary, removed by the best asbestos removal contractor in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Axis Response Group is the top choice. Contact us today at (773) 427-6811 to learn how we can help.