What do ceiling tiles look like when they contain
asbestos? Will you be able to spot them easily? You may have
asbestos ceiling tiles in your home, but finding out will not be easy. It is estimated that up to 10% of ceiling tiles in the US contain this toxic material. What do they look like? Sadly, this isn’t an easy question to answer.
Asbestos ceiling tiles do not stand out because they are similar to other types of ceiling tiles.
The asbestos fibers are hidden within the material making them difficult to spot with the naked eye. Nevertheless, there are certain things you can do to confirm that you’re dealing with an issue. For instance, you should consider the age of your home. Use the advice below to find out whether you have asbestos ceiling tiles in your residence.
What Will Asbestos Ceiling Tiles Look Like?
You have to learn more about the typical appearance of
asbestos ceiling tiles. What are these tiles going to look like? The tiles are made using asbestos fibers that are bonded to another material such as vinyl. In some cases, the panels had a sticky backing that makes them easy to install. The adhesive backing may contain asbestos as well. At one time,
asbestos ceiling tiles are popular because the material provides unique benefits. For instance, it tends to be able to stand up to heat, corrosion, and electricity. It is also effective for fire-proofing a home and it is a great insulator. Companies preferred using this material because it was cost-effective and tough.
Years ago, the material was used during the construction of hospitals, schools, factories, warehouses, libraries, and homes. Today, asbestos ceiling tiles are no longer used because researchers found that the material was dangerous. When it is inhaled for extended periods, it is eventually going to cause deadly illnesses such as asbestosis.
If your home was built before the 1980s, you should check it for
asbestos ceiling tiles. It isn’t easy to determine whether asbestos has been used in your tiles.
Understanding The Appearance Of Asbestos Ceiling Tiles
Unfortunately, homeowners will have extreme difficulty trying to identify asbestos tiles. There is nothing about them that stands out. Instead, the tiles are going to look identical to others. If you have a suspicion that your ceiling tiles may contain asbestos, you must have the material professionally tested. Doing so is the most effective and accurate way to identify asbestos. You can also use the advice below to find out whether your home likely has asbestos.
Typical Location
One thing to remember is that
asbestos tiles usually aren’t used in residential buildings. However, they can be. Instead, it is common for commercial structures to have asbestos ceiling tiles. They can be used in homes from time to time though. When they are, they were primarily used for drop ceilings. They were also used to cover ductwork in basements. Check these areas first because you may have asbestos here. Anyone with a commercial building built before 1980 should have it tested for asbestos.
Age Of The Building
It is also vital to consider the age of the building. Newer homes aren’t going to contain asbestos because the material is no longer used. However, it was regularly used many years ago. When possible, you should check the manufacture date on the back of the ceiling tile. You may also find a model or product number. You can use this number to find out more about your ceiling tiles. If the manufacturing company confirms that asbestos was used in the tile, you’ll have to hire a professional to remove the tiles.
Tiles that were made between 1920 and 1978 are likely going to contain asbestos. Homes that were constructed between 1950 and 1980 are also likely to have asbestos tiles. Any home that was built after the mid-1980s will be less likely to contain this toxic material. Either way, you should consider the age of the product and the age of the home. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have a better idea of whether your home has asbestos.
Best Thing To Do About Asbestos Tiles
Have you learned that your ceiling tiles contain asbestos? Don’t delay doing something about this because the risks are high. You must go above and beyond to get rid of the asbestos while protecting everyone in your home. We’re here to help.
Asbestos Removal CT offers cost-effective, reliable asbestos removal services. You can depend on our skilled technicians to remove the material from your home safely.
Once we’ve done that, we’ll dispose of it properly to prevent others from being exposed to these harmful chemicals. The pros at Asbestos Removal CT are one phone call away.
Shape
Asbestos ceiling tiles are either rectangular or square in shape. Since this is typical of ceiling tiles, differentiating between asbestos ceiling tiles and cellulose ceiling tiles cannot be done through a visible assessment. It does not help that a coat of white or off-white paint is added to the surface during the manufacturing process.
If the ceiling tile is cut in half, the asbestos fibers are too tiny to spot with the naked eye. The most accurate method utilized to identify asbestos in ceiling tiles is an asbestos survey. A sample of the ceiling tile is collected by our asbestos contractor. The sample is then transferred to a state-certified lab where it undergoes a complex process to test for asbestos.
Again, asbestos ceiling tiles are square or rectangular, which is typical of
ceiling tiles. In other words, it is impossible to identify
asbestos ceiling tiles by their shape.
When Did Asbestos Become A Banned Substance?
The Environmental Protection Agency “EPA” banned asbestos in July 1989. The ruling was controversial for several years, drawing the attention of home building product manufacturers across the United States.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned the 1989 EPA ruling. Even today, asbestos is still utilized in several industries, including the shipping and boating manufacturing industries.
Check The Company
You’ll also need to consider the company. Some companies used asbestos more frequently than others. For instance, it was common for United States Gypsum, National Gypsum, Flintkote Company, and Owens-Corning Fiberglas to use this material. You can check with the company to find out whether your tiles contain asbestos. You should be able to find more information on the company’s website. Alternatively, you can call the company’s customer support team to find out.
We operate extensively to help rental property owners, tenants, and homeowners safely update their older properties.
Our asbestos testing and asbestos removal services are cost- and time-efficient.
Contact our office today to learn more.
