Frequently Asked Questions
ASBESTOS
When should I have my house checked for asbestos?
An asbestos inspection should be conducted prior to any renovation project. If the suspect materials such as pipe insulation, plaster, wallboard, flooring, etc. have become disturbed, they should be sampled and assessed by an asbestos professional.
When does asbestos need to be removed?
Asbestos-containing materials should be removed prior to being disturbed by renovation, or if they become damaged or deteriorated
What was asbestos used for in construction?
Asbestos was used in a variety of materials including flooring materials, siding materials, plaster, wallboard and joint compound, insulation, fireproofing, ceiling tiles, soundproofing, adhesives and mastic, roofing shingles, roofing felt, flashing cement. It is a common misconception that asbestos has been “banned”. Only certain applications of asbestos have been banned in the United States and asbestos continues to be used in many building materials and adhesives today.
LEAD-BASED PAINT
What is considered lead-based paint?
Lead-based paint is defined by The US EPA as “Paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or exceeding 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or 0.5 percent by weight or 5,000 parts per million (ppm) by weight.”
Can a homeowner remove lead paint?
Yes. A homeowner can remove their own lead based paint. However, whether or not they should do this is a better question. Most homeowners are not versed in lead safety practices or the cleaning protocols required to remove lead based paint safely. Exposure to even a small amount of uncontrolled lead dust can have devastating effects on a child's development.
Do all houses built before 1978 have lead based paint?
Most pre-1978 housing will have lead-based paint somewhere. Painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing should be assumed to be lead-based paint unless proven otherwise by a lead-based paint inspection.
MOLD
What are the first signs of mold?
Visible discoloration on surfaces or a musty odor may indicate a mold problem
Is there a device that detects mold?
Visible suspect mold can be sampled and analyzed to determine if it is in fact mold, as well as determine the Genus and Species. Air samples can be collected and analyzed for the presence of mold spores as well.
Can you paint over mold?
Yes. However, prior to painting over mold, several things should be determined. The first priority is determining and correcting the underlying moisture source. Then the affected material should be assessed to determine if it can be cleaned or if it has been compromised by moisture exposure and subsequent mold growth and should be removed and replaced.