We recently bought a house from 1920 and are considering tearing down a small wall to make our entryway more open. The previous owners, who lived there for 65 years, don't believe there's any asbestos, especially since they installed blown insulation in the outer walls. However, since we're dealing with a house built almost a century ago, do you think we should still have it tested for asbestos just to be safe? We're especially cautious as we have a baby in the house.
5 Answers
It might be worth it to contact a local asbestos abatement company for advice on what materials to test. The most common sources of asbestos can vary quite a bit depending on your area.
I had a similar situation with my house, and I ended up buying several test kits from different brands found on Amazon and in local hardware stores. I took samples from a few areas and organized them in a spreadsheet. Some might think it's excessive, but spending a little extra gave me peace of mind when all three tests came back negative.
Given that your house was built in the 1920s, there's likely to be some asbestos if no abatement has been done. It's almost a certainty, so testing is definitely a smart move!
If it were me, I'd take samples from various spots throughout the house just to be sure about any potential asbestos. It's better to know what materials are safe to mess with. And definitely, use a good respirator—don't forget about the possibility of old lead paint or mold spores too!
You can find asbestos test kits at places like Lowe's or Home Depot, but for quicker results, consider taking samples to a local lab. I had my plaster tested and got results back in about 24 hours, which was super helpful!