Things To Know About Buying or Selling a Home with Asbestos
Buying or selling a property with issues can harm a potential sale. However, the sooner a potential buyer knows about specific matters such as asbestos, the less likely they are to change their mind. Here’s a quick guide on the things to know about buying or selling a home with asbestos.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber once commonly used to keep homes warm. Home-builders placed asbestos in areas such as the roofs and the sides of houses as insulation. Additionally, they placed asbestos in floors, ceilings, and walls to add aesthetic. Although asbestos was popular until the 1980s, it’s a material that can harm you if you inhale it.
Is It Safe?
No, asbestos is more harmful than you’d expect. Unlike other materials, when tampered with, the fibers release into the air and are easily inhaled into the lungs, creating severe health problems later in life. However, if you contact an asbestos abatement company to inspect and remove the material, you can reduce the risk of health problems. To eliminate health problems altogether, it’s better to leave the asbestos be and not disturb or damage it in any way.
What To Do When You Discover Asbestos
When you discover asbestos, it’s crucial to inform potential homebuyers of the material before moving forward with a sale. If you don’t find the material right away, you can still take care of it before selling. For instance, you can cover and seal the asbestos. Then, inform the homebuyers so that they can decide what to do next.
Is Removing Asbestos Expensive?
Depending on your situation, an asbestos removal service can get expensive, costing anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Homeowners only have to consider asbestos abatement services if they disturb the asbestos—for example, if they intend to do renovations. Additionally, if your state bans asbestos, it’s best to get it removed to avoid fines.
If You Have Asbestos in Your Home
If you have asbestos hiding in your home, there are a few things to do before you remove it yourself—which we highly advise against doing. Here are a few steps to follow when you discover asbestos in your house:
- Don’t remove the asbestos yourself.
- Contact Air Safe, Inc. for inspection and removal of asbestos.
- An Air Safe, Inc. licensed professional will remove the asbestos and ensure the home is asbestos free before you sell or buy it.
When purchasing or selling a house, it’s essential that you read our guide on the things to know about buying or selling a home with asbestos. You’ll then have a better course of action if you need to remove asbestos from your home. At Air Safe, Inc., we do our part to ensure you have an asbestos-free house before buying or selling. If you have an asbestos problem, contact us for asbestos removal services.
