Asbestos testing

What this covers

Asbestos was used for decades in pipe and boiler insulation, floor tile, ceiling texture, siding and other materials, and it cannot be identified by looking. A licensed inspector walks the areas planned for work, lists suspect materials, and takes small samples with dust controls in place: the area is set up, the material is wetted, a small piece is removed into a sealed, labeled container, and the spot is patched. The lab examines each sample under a microscope and reports whether asbestos is present, the type and the approximate percentage. The results decide what needs abatement before renovation or demolition begins.

When to call

• Renovation or demolition planned in an older home.
• Fire or water damage to older pipe insulation, flooring or ceilings that will be removed.
• Old wrapped pipes, ceiling texture or floor tile of unknown makeup.

What to expect

1. SurveyThe inspector identifies suspect materials in the areas planned for work.
2. SampleSmall samples are taken under dust control, sealed, labeled and the spots patched.
3. Lab analysisA lab analyzes each sample and records whether asbestos is present and in what amount.
4. ReportThe report lists each material, its location and its result, ready for abatement planning.