More and more people are waking up to the negative effects of asbestos exposure. What once was hailed by the construction industry as the best material for its lightweight yet the durable quality has now been permanently banned in many countries and removed from the buildings that it once sat on.
Nowadays, many people look to asbestos removal services to check for the warning signs of asbestos contamination either from their walls, roof, and floors. But not a lot of people know what to look for when trying to identify if their house or building is contaminated or not. Such a thing would be difficult since asbestos is fibrous materials that are invisible to the naked eye. Fortunately, there are many ways it manifests physically. For floors in particular, this gets some of the most wear and tear in any house. As such, you can look out for these tell-tale signs that your home might have asbestos floor tiles Melbourne.
- Check the Age of Your Home
The most telling clue that your house might be contaminated with asbestos floor tiles is its age. Homes that are built throughout the early 1900s up to the 70s are highly susceptible to asbestos contamination since these were the years when the material was most used by a lot of construction companies. Once you find out about your house’s age, then you can move on to the next step.
- Closely Examine Your Floor Tiles
Examine your floor tiles and be on the lookout for any signs of decay. Asbestos is relatively harmless if it is in pristine condition, meaning there are no visible cracks and shedding, but when it is broken up, dangerous asbestos fibres are released into the air and endanger everyone who inhales in. If you find any kind of break in your floor tiles, it is best to call in professional help to assess the situation properly.
- Visible Discoloration
During your examination, also check for any discoloration. Particularly for floor tiles that have turned grayish brown, dark gray, dark brown, or black. Asbestos floor tiles Melbourne are especially notorious for these aging effects, more particularly in vinyl or asphalt floor tiles. The latter were primarily made in dark colors so there is a high likelihood that it would also turn dark later on.
- Go For a Lab Testing
Since asbestos cannot be seen through the naked human eye, the best way to know if asbestos is present in your floor tiles is to scrape up a sample and have it tested in a laboratory. You can contact a lab that offers such tests. Be sure to use a mask and wear gloves when you are cutting out your samples. Remember to cover the area with duct tape to prevent the fibres from penetrating the house even more.
- Have Your Home Checked
It goes without saying that you should do all these with caution, taking the necessary safety measures to avoid inhaling the material while inspecting your floor tiles. You can use masks and gloves, but still, doing all these by yourself can be dangerous. Has your home checked by licensed asbestos removal companies to ensure that your home is safe from the health hazards that asbestos poses?
We understand how important it is to stay safe in your own home. This is why you should not delay when it comes to getting rid of asbestos in the place where your loved ones are most vulnerable. Call on the experts in removing asbestos floor tiles in Melbourne as soon as possible. AW Asbestos Removal specialises in inspecting and eliminating asbestos from homes and buildings.
Contact us today at 0488 1212 14 or (03) 9798 3891 and get started on your journey to a safer home.