An Asbestos Survey Is Critical For Commercial and Residential Properties In NH, MA, ME, CT, VT, and RI

Don’t wait for your survey. Asbestos contanimation is prevalent among all New England states in both commercial and residential properties.

A common myth regarding asbestos is that only old buildings are affected by it. But even though the mixture was invented in 1900, it still was used up until 1989.

In 1893, inventor and entrepreneur Ludwig Hatschek purchased a factory for asbestos goods in Upper Austria in 1893 and began creating asbestos cement in 1900. Made with a mixture of asbestos fibers and hydraulic cement, asbestos-cement was rigid, durable and fireproof, making it every builder’s dream.

Once word of this cement reached the United States, construction companies began to use the mixture. But in 1929, the first claim against the mixture was made stating that it caused pulmonary disease and like a domino effect, more complaints were made as people fell ill. Laws and regulations were soon put it to place to regulate the sales and creation of asbestos.

However, it wasn’t until 1989 that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule in the United States. With it only recently being banned, there’s a very good chance your not-so-old home could have it.

As you look to have your commercial or residential property surveyed, here are a few important things to keep in mind.Asbestos is a substance that can cause cancer and studies have shown once exposed, risks of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma can increase. Additionally, asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of asbestosis. Asbestosis is an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage.

Victims of asbestos exposure reserve the right to file a class action or individual lawsuit against the owner of the property where it is found. To protect your business legally and financially, it’s wise to remove this risk by removing asbestos from your property altogether.

Asbestos has been used floor tiles, ceiling panels, acoustical ceilings, exterior stuccos and more commonly found inside homes. In total, there have been over 3,600 products manufactured that contain asbestos, making the chance of it being found in your home great.

Here are some of the most common places where asbestos is found in homes and buildings in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and Connecticut:

• Walls and ceilings
• Roofing
• Flooring
• Duct and Fiberboard
• Pipes
• Siding
• Furnace
• Heating
• Window glazing and window caulking

While this list provides you with places that asbestos may be found, the only sure way to find out if the material you are concerned with contains asbestos is to have a full survey completed and questionable material tested.

To find out if your building is affected, asbestos surveys are recommended. Peniel Environmental Solutions provides trained technicians to assess your property and conduct an in-depth inspection to see if and where there may be asbestos.

Asbestos is extremely dangerous and is a known carcinogen. Before you disturb any material you suspect might contain asbestos, we highly recommend you to have a sample of that material tested by someone qualified to handle it. Our experienced staff is trained to inspect and treat asbestos commonly found in sprayed or troweled-on ceiling materials, window caulking and or glazing, floor tiles, linoleum, insulation, drywall/joint compound, exterior stucco, roofing and more.

If you have questions about permits, asbestos, mold, or environmental hazards at your Rhode Island property, these local, state, and federal resources can help:

• Asbestos testing - Complete and confidential asbestos testing of your roof.
• Asbestos Survey - For commercial properties Peniel can complete a full spectrum asbestos survey to identify asbestos exposure and offer solutions.
• Asbestos removal - Peniel Environmental Solutions technicians are trained, licensed, and certified to remove hazardous asbestos from commercial roofs.

Regardless of when your house was built or remodeled, it’s a always good idea to have your property inspected. Before you pay for any removal services, one of our technicians will survey your property to see if and where you property is affected.

To see if your building has asbestos, consult the environmental professionals at Peniel Environmental Solutions today. We will handle the process from initial inspection to removal, to notifications through to proper disposal and documentation no matter your location in NH, MA, ME, CT, VT, or RI.

Call us today for a free consultation, (855) 317.8236.