Repairing and Restoring Objects and Buildings

A Guide On Pre-Purchase Asbestos Building Inspections

Do you intend to purchase a commercial or residential building? Well, you should consider a pre-purchase asbestos building inspection to help you examine the presence and location of asbestos on the property. Below is a comprehensive guide on pre-purchase asbestos building inspections

Why Do You Need A Pre Purchase Asbestos Building Inspection? 

Asbestos was a popular building material used during the 20th century. Other than being cheap, the material had unique properties such as heat and chemical resistance. As such, it was commonly used as an insulator to fireproof walls. Asbestos use was banned after the material was found to cause mesothelioma and asbestosis.  

Homes built during the 20th century may have asbestos roofs, walls and floors. Bonded asbestos is safe. However, friable asbestos could expose you to toxic asbestos fibres. As such, you should consider asbestos removal before you move into the property. Knowing the location of asbestos in your home will also ensure safety when conducting renovation works. Besides, you could ask the seller to give you a price cut since the house contains dangerous materials. People that intend to demolish builds should request an asbestos inspection. 

How To Conduct Asbestos Inspection

Asbestos inspection should be conducted by a skilled and licenced professional. Most abatement companies provide asbestos inspection services. The inspector will examine the walls, roof, floors and heating pipes for the presence of asbestos. They will check the surfaces for cracks and abrasion that will expose you to asbestos fibres. Friable asbestos is likely to crumble hence releasing fibres. The inspector may need to take some samples for lab testing. If the inspector thinks you are at risk of asbestos poisoning, he or she will conduct an air test to determine the concentration of asbestos in the air. 

What To Do After The Inspection

The inspector will make some recommendations in the inspection report if the house contains asbestos. Preferably, you should remove the asbestos before moving into the property. Below are some asbestos abatement tips: 

  • Lock all the doors and windows before removing the asbestos. Seal the room with polythene to prevent asbestos fibres from leaving the room.
  • Wear personal protective clothing when removing the asbestos.
  • Dampen the asbestos to avoid coming into contact with the fibres. Do not crack the asbestos. Additionally, do not use power tools such as drills and saws to remove the asbestos.
  • The asbestos should be packed in asbestos-approved packaging materials and disposed at an appropriate landfill. 

A pre-purchase asbestos building inspection will help you identify the location of asbestos in a property you intend to purchase. It ensures safety when conducting renovation and demolition works inside the building.


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