Asbestos
This is one hazard that you should be aware of. If you own or are preparing to buy, an uninformed decision can cost you thousands and perhaps cost you your health.
Asbestos
laws in Colorado are very strict. Before you renovate or demolish a
home it must be inspected by a State Certified inspector for asbestos.
This applies to every home, building, shed or other structure, no matter what the age. Homes more than 25 years old are especially at risk, as asbestos was much more common then.
Long term exposure to asbestos can cause a number of fatal lung ailments. Long term exposure is usually relevant to persons who have worked around asbestos. The other way to receive a long term exposure is to occupy a building were illicit renovation activities have occurred or where friable asbestos exists. Flippers are the biggest culprits when it comes to creating contaminated buildings. Flippers are persons who buy a property, do a quick renovation and resell for a quick profit. Watch out for homes that shows signs of flipper activity. These unsophisticated investors usually are unaware of asbestos hazards and laws or just don't care. After all, you can't see asbestos fibers.
Limited asbestos inspections are usually very affordable, unless the house is very old and has been renovated considerably. We use a limited inspection process according to the guidelines of ASTM E2308 for inspections during transactions. Renovation or demolition inspections follow the state guidelines contained in Section 8 of the asbestos regulations.
Recognizing Asbestos
Asbestos is contained in 1000's of products. Some are still produced and imported into the U.S. to this day; hence Colorado's stance on asbestos inspections. The following is a list of sources of asbestos that are commonly encountered in buildings.
1. Drywall Joint Compound - Very Common
2. Drywall texturing - Very Common
3. Floor tiles - 9"x9" almost certain, 12"x12" common
4. Linoleum sheet flooring - Not to be confused with vinyl sheet flooring.
5. White Pipe Insulation
6. Mastic (glue) - for sheet flooring, floor and ceiling tiles.
7. Lay in Ceiling tiles - Somewhat common
8. Window Glazing
9. Vermiculite Insulation (aka Zonolite).
10. Stucco products - occasional
11. Popcorn Ceilings - Common
12. Electrical Insulation
13. Duct tape and isolation joints.