Asbestos is usually out of sight, but if it goes out of mind, it can cause serious health issues. That’s why asbestos inspection is important legally. It’s time to find out how asbestos inspection works, costs, and when you need it.
This guide covers everything that you need before renovating, buying, or demolishing a property, especially if it was built before the 1990s.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Due to its heat resistance, tensile strength, and insulating properties, it was once highly used in construction materials like insulation, flooring, roofing, and cement from the 1940s to the 1980s.
But, now it is banned in many countries, but it remains in older buildings and poses danger during renovations, maintenance activities. Its exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can cause serious respiratory illnesses, including:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Pleural thickening
What Is an Asbestos Inspection?
An asbestos inspection is an assessment by professionals to find out the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a building. These inspections are important to ensure safety during construction, remodeling, or property transactions. The following are the types of asbestos inspections.
Asbestos Survey / Building Inspection
It is conducted before renovation or demolition, and it identifies the location, condition, and quantity of ACMs.
Asbestos Air Testing
This type of inspection measures airborne fiber levels and is used after asbestos removal or in occupied buildings.
Asbestos Management Survey
It is a routine inspection for buildings still in use. It helps develop an asbestos management plan.
Pre-Purchase Asbestos Inspection
It is recommended before buying older residential or commercial property because it helps buyers avoid abatement costs.
How Asbestos Inspection Works: Step-by-Step Guide
Here is the asbestos inspection in NYC process that helps you understand what to expect:
Step 1: Site Assessment
A certified asbestos inspector assesses the property’s age, structure, and renovation history to identify areas possible to contain asbestos.
Step 2: Sample Collection
The team collects the samples from drywall, floor tiles, pipe insulation, and safely collects them with regulatory protocols.
Step 3: Laboratory Analysis
The asbestos inspection team sends the sample to a certified lab where Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is used to confirm the presence and type of asbestos.
Step 4: Reporting
In the end, they provide you with a detailed asbestos inspection report that contains location and type of ACMs, condition and risk level, and recommended actions such as encapsulation or removal. You can review a detailed asbestos removal checklist designed according to the NYC regulations.
When Do You Need an Asbestos Inspection?
You need an asbestos inspection in the following conditions:
- You need to hire a team before renovation or demolition, because disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release harmful fibers into the air.
- When you buy or sell a property, especially if the property was built before 1990, a pre-purchase asbestos inspection helps you identify hidden liabilities.
- After flooding or fire damage because asbestos can release dangerous particles that make post-disaster inspection essential.
- Inspection is also important as part of health and safety compliance.
Who Can Perform an Asbestos Inspection?
Only certified asbestos inspectors or licensed asbestos professionals should perform an asbestos survey. These professionals are trained to follow regulatory guidelines and minimize health risks. So, you need to look for:
- Accreditation by regulatory bodies such as EPA, OSHA, local authorities
- Experience in asbestos testing and abatement
- Transparent reporting and safety protocols
What Happens If Asbestos Is Found?
If asbestos is detected, you have several options based on the material’s condition and risk level:
- Encapsulation for sealing the asbestos to prevent fiber release.
- Enclosure to isolate the asbestos-containing area using airtight barriers.
- Asbestos Abatement by licensed contractors, usually required before major renovations or demolitions.
Costs of Asbestos Inspection
The cost of an asbestos inspection depends on the size of the property and the number of samples required. On average:
- Residential Inspection: $250 – $800
- Commercial/Industrial Inspection: $1,000 – $3,000+
- Lab Testing Per Sample: $25 – $75
Final Thoughts
An asbestos inspection is important to protect your life. If you ignore hiring an asbestos inspection team, it will cause serious health issues that do not show early symptoms, but years later, you will regret your decision. Always hire certified professionals and take recommended actions seriously.