Common Areas Asbestos is located in a Residential House or Dwelling

If you are going to renovate or notice that certain materials are being disturbed or falling apart it is important to know whether or not these materials may contain asbestos.  Here is a list of the most common areas that asbestos may be present in a residential house or dwelling.  Please remember there does exist other areas that asbestos may be present, however, these are the most common.  If you are concerned that you may have asbestos containing materials in your home the best bet is to have them tested by a certified Environmental Assessment Company like The Healthy Abode. 

The most common areas where asbestos may be found in a residential home are the following:

ATTIC:

-attic insulation, especially if it is vermiculite

FLOORING:

-any vinyl tiles

-asphalt based floor tiles

-any floor tiles, backing materials used to install tiles (i.e. black mastic adhesive) can contain asbestos

-flooring felt

-asbestos carpet underlayment

CEILINGS:

-acoustical ceiling tiles

-acoustic ceilings/popcorn ceilings

-plaster ceilings

-any sprayed-on or troweled-on surfacing materials

-asbestos ceiling fireproofing panels

INSULATION/PIPING:

-piping insulation

-insulation around boilers

-insulation around ducts

-insulation around hot water tanks

-attic, ceiling and wall insulation (1930-1950)

-pipeline wrap

-paper made of asbestos

BUILDING MATERIALS:

-plaster and lath

-any patching compounds for wall and ceiling joints (1977) – includes asbestos spackling compounds

-asbestos-cement corrugated sheet

-asbestos-cement flat sheet

-asbestos cement pipe (usually air ducts or chimneys)

-asbestos cement shingle

-asbestos exterior siding

-asbestos millboard (similar to cement asbestos roof shingles and siding)

FIREPLACES

-artificial ashes and embers in gas fireplaces (pre 1977)

ROOFING

-roof coatings/shingles

-roofing felt

-asbestos base flashing – i.e. roofing mastics and sealants

ADDITIONAL:

-asbestos cloth – i.e. asbestos air duct vibration dampers

-asbestos containing appliances

-asbestos water heater jacket insulation