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

Freelance.enviro.tech@gmail.com

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.