I just inherited a house built in 1941, and I'm nervous about asbestos being present in various materials throughout. I've started some renovations, like removing damaged surface mount ceiling tiles and the original linoleum in the bathroom, which was hiding some black mastic underneath. I haven't taken out much of the ceiling tiles yet since I plan to repair these with modern tiles and texture the whole ceiling over. There's also roofing felt and thick paper under the tiles. While I only wore a dust mask (no respirator), I haven't sanded or scraped anything. I know there's loose fill insulation in the attic and walls, but I don't intend to disturb that. The kitchen has a popcorn ceiling that originally had surface mount tiles, and I'm unsure when it was coated — I'm planning to leave it alone. Financially, I can't afford professional asbestos remediation right now. Given that I've already touched some potential asbestos-containing materials, should I be worried about living here or is it manageable?
2 Answers
A major thing to check is the material of your plumbing pipes, especially since your house dates back a bit. It’s probably fine, but homes built around that time might have Orangeburg pipe if it’s been replaced over the years. Asbestos isn’t a big issue unless you’re exposed to it repeatedly over time. If things like your floor tiles are covered up, they shouldn’t pose a risk. If you can swing it, a consultation for environmental testing might clarify what needs attention.
You might want to consider getting the suspected materials tested for asbestos — it could help ease your mind. Also, while age often suggests the presence of asbestos or lead paint, not every old home has those materials installed. It's worth checking before getting too anxious about it.