Does My Old Bathroom Have Any Asbestos Hidden Away?

Does My Old Bathroom Have Any Asbestos Hidden Away?Are you thinking about this year's projects? Is remodelling your bathroom on the list? For many of us, that project to create a luxury spa experience you can enjoy without leaving home is one that is top of the list. There is however, one problem you need to be aware of. You need to start thinking about the chances of having asbestos in your bathroom long before you get your first color swatches and idea boards out. It's not an issue to be sniffed at (actually that's literal as well as figurative). So if you're asking does my bathroom have asbestos - and you should be - then this is the place to be.Why Is It Dangerous Asbestos has a long history that goes back many hundreds of years but it really came to prominence after the industrial revolution - this is not just a history lesson, it's still relevant to you today. Its properties were much in demand and a vast industry grew up around the production of this wonder building material and many new applications were identified for it's use.​Of interest to us, here today, were the fire retardant and insulation abilities of the product. This saw it incorporated into many homes from the early 20th century onwards for both reasons. Unfortunately, doctors began to observe the increased incidence of many lung diseases in people who had worked with the substance. Sadly, in many cases the disease was mesothelioma, an especially aggressive type of cancer that inevitably proves terminal.The LawSo now we know that asbestos is so dangerous, it's illegal to use it isn't it? Sadly, even though reports about the dangers have been around since the 1920s, that depends on where you live in the world. In the United States no formal ban on it's use was ever implemented and for you, thinking about your bathroom remodelling it means two things. The older your property the more likely you are to find it. If you live in condominium blocks with shared heating systems, asbestos may have been used to lag pipes and provide fire retarding to the fabric of the building. It may also be present in a number of other construction materials - more of this later. Newer properties may have their own issues as materials such as floor tiles may contain it as no formal ban on using it was ever enacted in law. In reality, if you are planning to start taking chunks out of your bathroom you need to ensure that there is no asbestos present. Simple testing is all you need to do and even if you find it, there is a well established industry that can help you safely dispose of any materials necessary.Should You Be Bothered About Asbestos?In two words - HECK YES! The thing about renovating a bathroom with asbestos is that the loose fibers can cause serious health issues. They are usually bound in a holding material such as vinyl or even cement which keeps them from being a problem. The danger comes from breathing in airborne fibers and the fibers only become airborne when the material they are bound in is disturbed. That's exactly when you start breaking up your existing bathroom.So we say again, should you be bothered about asbestos? HECK YES!Popular Products Containing Asbestos Asbestos use in bathrooms involves many products and thanks in part, due to the lack of an outright ban, even more modern homes may contain materials made with it. Insulation materials were often based around it and floor and ceiling tiles were commonly made stronger without being made heavier.Cement was frequently mixed with asbestos to make an effective fire retardant that could be applied to many parts of a building during construction. The good news is that it was also added to automotive components such as brake linings and clutch pads but you're not likely to need to worry about them in your bathroom!​Spotting Problems in Your BathroomCast your eye around your bathroom and there are a number of places where this demon construction material may be lurking: Bath panels - the board that sits around older bath tubs - the panel - is often made of materials strengthened with asbestos Airing cupboard and sprayed insulation on your boiler boiler Ceramic and ceiling tiles - strengthening materials come from guess what product?WC seat - is there no where safe to sit?WC cistern - it's bound to be reallyFloor tiles - strength and lightweight provided by by none other than the big AFan surrounds You should also look out for partition walls, fireproofing materials, ceiling tiles and panels surrounding windows. If you're still not sure what to be looking for watch this video to see an illustration of just how many dangerous products are still out there.. So What's To do? Simple really - test, test and test again. Any suspect material needs to be tested. You can use specially designed home testing kits. There are a wide variety of kits available across a wide range of price points. Some offer to test multiple samples, others offer a 24 hour turnaround. They all require you to take a sample of the material to be tested and to post it off for laboratory analysis.Collecting material samples is a health hazard in itself. The fibers are microscopic so they can't be seen and are airborne, spreading quickly. Make sure you protect yourself when you are taking samples - a few fibers is all it takes to make you very poorly - simple dust mask is all you need to protect yourself.If you are concerned about the risks there is a well established network of contractors who are well qualified and have plenty of experience in taking samples for testing..And If The News is Bad? So if you've had your bathroom tested and the results are not good, what then? Firstly, there's no need to rush the family into temporary accommodation and there's no need to put the house up for sale. All you need to do is find yourself a reputable bathroom asbestos removal specialist - go on, get browsing now, there are plenty to choose from. When it comes to removal costs, don't count them, if you do, it might cost you your life.If, of course the tests come back and you have nothing to worry about, then joy of joys. You can start ripping out whatever you want and let your creative eye have free reign but aren't you glad you checked anyway?Was It Worth It? We've taken you on a bit of a dramatic journey but we hope you think it's been worth it. From understanding what it is, what the law says and where asbestos lurks, to testing for it and then having it professionally removed - a complete journey around this nightmare substance. It's a serious subject (as well as substance) so we'd love to hear about your experiences with a posting below.

Does My Old Bathroom Have Any Asbestos Hidden Away? is available on http://www.bathroomzz.net