The Origins of Asbestos: What Was It Used For Originally?

The health consequences of asbestos are so well-known nowadays that it can be hard to imagine that it was ever used as a building tool at all. Asbestos, despite its hazards properties, is both strong and flexible when broken into fibres, which is why it was used in building insulation for so long. Luckily, modern materials have been developed that perform as well as asbestos without the toxic side effects.

If property owners can better understand the uses of asbestos in building construction, it will be easier for them to identify areas of their property that may be at-risk for asbestos exposure. Here is some more information about the uses of asbestos from the technicians at Certified Asbestos Removal.

Building Exteriors

Asbestos was commonly used on building exteriors to provide fortified insulation. Some places on your building’s exterior where there could be asbestos include:Cement siding panels—flat, corrugated, shingles or accent panels

– Roof felts and mastics
– Building overhangs
– Stucco
– Brick and block mortar

if your property’s exterior contains any of these materials and was built before the 1990s, it’s a good idea to have it inspected for asbestos contamination in case asbestos-containing materials were used and subsequently disturbed, putting your safety at risk.

Flooring, Ceiling, Walls

Other common areas where asbestos was used as insulation include flooring, ceiling and walls. Vinyl asbestos tiles and sheet vinyl flooring with asbestos paper backing were commonly-used flooring materials. If your property was floored with these materials you should have your property immediately inspected because asbestos-containing material in floorboards have a high risk of being disturbed. Asbestos cement ceiling tile, acoustic and stippled tile finishes, and plaster and drywall joining materials can be found in ceilings, and drywall can contain traces of asbestos as well as stippled finishes and thermal sprays used to protect walls. If you are concerned that your property contains any of these materials, have the area professionally inspected as soon as possible.

Although the health effects of asbestos are now common knowledge, the danger of this materials has only been known for less than 30 years. Before that point, asbestos was commonly used as a building insulator, so it’s important to have any property build before the 1990s professionally inspected for asbestos-containing materials.

At Certified Asbestos Removal, we provide expert asbestos inspection services as well as efficient and safe asbestos removal. For more information about our services and to have your property professionally inspected, contact us today at Certified Asbestos Removal.