When buying a home, inspections are highly recommended, but should you check for asbestos? Asbestos is a dangerous mineral that was extensively used in house construction up until several decades ago. Obviously, having asbestos in your home is something that no homeowner wants to deal with, but many of us have to.
Asbestos was used on homes built in Texas to fireproof roofs, insulation and siding. Sometimes pipes were insulated with asbestos in industrial buildings as well. When a person inhales fine fibers of asbestos is can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma which is a type of cancer. So, is fear of asbestos in a home real? Yes it is, but it can also be non-threatening if contained effectively.
Recently, I viewed a home in Woodway, Texas built in 1955 which had asbestos, but it didn’t seem to scare off the buyers lookng for a home zoned to Woodway Elementary school under $300,000. After doing some researching and talking to an inspector, we found out that the asbestos was under the dining room and kitchen tile, but was handled properly and there was no chance of exposure. Whew! Fortunately, in the State of Texas, sellers must disclose asbestos when selling their home. An undisclosed hazard such as asbestos, could inflect serious issues for an uninformed buyer.
For more information about asbestos and where you can find it in your home, click on the Asbestos Exposure Guide and let me know if you have any questions. If you are looking to sell a home with Asbestos, make sure you have a Realtor like me to help guide you.
Click Here--> ASBESTOS EXPOSURE GUIDE!
