Asbestos Recognition for Homeowners
Learn to recognize possible forms of asbestos in your home before repair or remodeling
Tri-Tech Building Hygiene Services
The Nasty Stuff
•High percentage asbestos
•Friable/bare fibrous material
•Typically unsealed
•Requires specialized containment for work
•Usually a State notification is required for work
•Homeowners discouraged from disturbing
fortunately this stuff is relatively rare in the U.S. due to the
availability of fiberglass and wool batting
blown-in attic insulation
vermiculite insulationmost commonly poured in attics,
more common in some regions than others
sometimes found inside drywall or cinderblock walls as shown spilling out at the
bottom of the wall here
EPA suggests on their
website that homeowners do not
test their vermiculite insulation. I disagree.
I believe their recommendation is based on their
embarrassment over the regulatory status of
this stuff rather than concerns over the
validity of the analyses.
often exposed in the basement if no drop ceiling
duct insulation/tape
risers are typically hidden inside walls
spray-on acoustic plaster
thin popcorn-type, thicker sprayed forms
are obviously more dangerous
pipe insulation
photo credit: Asbestorama
ceiling tile/light heat shields
Less Dangerous Stuff
does not necessarily stigmatize a home and decrease its value if in good condition
more common, less easily recognized forms of asbestos
usually just covered up or patched rather than removed
rigid siding/roofing shingles
flooring
“seamless linoleum”
9x9 floor tile
flooring underlayment
1970s linoleum
floor underlayment
plaster and drywall
Examples of Obscure/
Low Risk Stuff
faux chimney brick masticmud joist packings for electrical wires
plumbing hatch (asbestos cementboard I found in a
building of 1980 construction)
sweat tape
rigid cove base/mastic
lower risk materials
roofing feltfoundation damp-proofing
roof sealant/patch
exterior foundation window glazing
Unknowns…DAP 33
Window Putty MSDS
Are non-fibrous and quasi-fibrous forms of
asbestos safe(r)?
Probably, but we don’t know for sure.
Repair or removal of high risk materials should always be left to the pros
Tri-Tech Building Hygiene Services can provide guidance to homeowners for repair or removal of low-risk forms of asbestos
Tri-Tech Building Hygiene Services a subsidiary of Freelance Enviro-Tech Services LLC
Joseph Burley, Principal Consultant23841 Republic
Oak Park, Michigan 48237248-721-8574
Tri-Tech Building Hygiene Services
For more information on homeowner sample analyses
please visit: www.slideshare.net/TriTechBuildingSvcs
Important note: This is not intended to represent all forms of asbestos found in homes. Only a certified
Building Inspector is qualified to determine whether a building material could contain asbestos.