If you are currently looking into the purchase of an older home, or are considering renovating your current home, you may be asking yourself: What does asbestos look like? Unfortunately, asbestos cannot be determined on sight alone. Determining if you may have this dangerous substance in your home takes a little research into your house and searching for warning signs.

Research

If your home was built after 1981, you can be reasonably certain that there is no asbestos in your home. Many homes built prior to 1981 have already been updated, with the old asbestos removed. If your home was built prior to 1981, here are some places to look:

Fireproofing Material

If the material used to fireproof your home is fibrous, fluffy, crumbly, and muddy, it may contain asbestos if your home is older. You will need to contact a professional experienced in asbestos to be sure.

Thermal Insulation

This type of insulation will be on pipes, boilers, water heaters, etc. It will appear to be like cardboard or paper and is typically white in color.

Plaster

If your walls are not drywall and were plastered prior to 1981, they may contain asbestos. It was typically mixed with the plaster material prior to that date.

Floor tiles

Although typically floor tiles containing asbestos are from the 1920s, some were made in the mid to late 1970s. They are typically black, as the asbestos was mixed with an asphalt material.

Only professionals can accurately answer the question: What does asbestos look like? It also takes the right person with the appropriate tools to safely remove it from your home or business.

Where Can You Find Those People?

You should not, under any circumstances, attempt to remove the material on your own. To find a professional near you, try using TalkLocal. Our free service is fast and incredibly easy. We will only find professionals qualified to handle your problem based on information you give us. You will be talking on the phone with someone who can help in just minutes.