Don’t ignore asbestos in your home

If your home was built many years ago, it is quite possible that it was constructed with the use of asbestos and other materials. Most homes that were built between 1930 and 1950 have some type of asbestos material in the construction. While left alone, the material has been known to not cause any problems. However, if damaged and ignored, it can cause significant health risks and problems for you and your family. If you notice that the asbestos related item has been damaged in your home, it is best to hire a company that specializes in professional asbestos removals. They will ensure that your home is not negatively affected by the asbestos and that your family can avoid exposure to the substance that could cause chronic health problems. This article will highlight some of the dangers of ignoring asbestos in your home.

Can cause cancer if inhaled

If you ignore asbestos in your home, it is possible that over time you or your family members could breathe in the small fibers that are known to causing cancer in the lungs. What is particularly frightening is that many times you do not know you are breathing in the particles as they are so fine that they are not easy to detect with the naked eye. You may not even realize you are inhaling it. You may not even know that you are breathing in the substance and it can take up to 20 years to show any signs of health problems once inhaled.

Health problems

There are many health problems that can be caused by asbestos, many of which are not detectable for an average of 45 years after exposure. Some of the health problems that are most notable and have been known to cause death are mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Could cause problems in selling your home

Even if your home was built after 1950, it could also have materials in it that are made of asbestos. When putting your home on the market, it is a must that you disclose this information. This could cause you to have a difficult time in selling your home as many are aware that asbestos can be deadly. You can either deal with the problem forthright and have the material removed or you can disclose it and hope that you can get a buyer who is willing to take the risk of living in a home with asbestos. Either way, the buyer will likely want a discount off the selling price due to the asbestos found on the property. You will need to weigh what is better for you; removal or discounting your price.

Can be expensive to remove

The cost to remove asbestos can be substantial if you hire a reputable company that uses specialized equipment and highly trained staff to do the job. Consider the removal to be a good investment and one that will prolong the health and safety of your home and family’s health. You can even try to seek government financing for removing asbestos because most governments are financing the removal of asbestos from residential areas.