Asbestos was a common additive used in building materials in the late 19th and 20th centuries, until the health risks associated with it became widely known in the 1970s-1980s. Its durable, fire-resistant nature led asbestos to be included in many components used to build homes in the US and around the world, including asbestos tiles, asbestos siding, insulation, join compound, pipe wrap, and roofing.

The simple presence of asbestos in older homes, however, does not necessarily pose a health risk. Long-term exposure to asbestos fibers has been directly linked to diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung diseases, but only when asbestos fibers are airborne and inhaled; if asbestos is left undisturbed and intact it poses no significant health risks.

Asbestos Tiles in Your Home

If you believe you have asbestos tiles in your home (most commonly found in floor tiles), don’t despair. You have several options available to you, including several that don’t involve extremely expensive asbestos abatement or removal services. While the threat of asbestos is very real, in some instances the actual risk has been overblown due to overzealous lawyers chasing class act asbestos settlement claims.

Be sure to explore all of the articles and resources here before making any decisions, as following a few easy, simple steps will ensure that you make the safest, smartest decision as far as dealing with the possible asbestos in your home. The most dangerous (and expensive) thing you can do is to make a quick decision without gathering all the facts first.

Just as you wouldn’t book a big trip based solely on a tip from a travel blog, you also need to carefully research and weigh the information when it comes to asbestos in your home.