Five Warning Signs There May Be Asbestos in Your House

When it comes to asbestos, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re worried that your home may contain asbestos, it’s important to know what to look out for. Read on to discover some prominent warning signs that there may be asbestos in your house.



Older homes

Homes that were built before the 1980s are highly likely to contain asbestos. This asbestos is usually found in the floor tiles, walls, insulation, ceilings, and pipe cement of these buildings. You can risk becoming exposed to asbestos if the building materials become damaged in any way.

Vinyl flooring or sheeting

Asbestos can also be found in vinyl flooring or sheeting, especially if these tiles are made with millboard or paper. The chances of this are higher if the flooring was installed between 1952 and 1986.

Cement water tanks and sheets

If you live in an older home, get your water tank tested for asbestos. Additionally, cement sheets may also carry asbestos - including areas around the sheets, like the vent covers, light bases, and cover traps.

Corrugated roofing

Asbestos-containing corrugated roofing used to be common, particularly between the 1920s and 1970s. Cement roof shingles often contained Chrysotile as well, which is known as white asbestos.

Physical symptoms

Physical symptoms may indicate there is asbestos in your home. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and can cause a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma, as well as cancers of the larynx, lung, and ovary. Similarly, although there’s limited evidence, asbestos exposure is also linked to an increased risk of stomach, pharynx, and colorectum cancers.

Certain risk factors determine how asbestos affects an individual, including:

●     Dose

●     Duration

●     Size, shape, and chemical makeup

●     Source of exposure

●     Lifestyle risk factors (such as smoking)

●     Genetic factors

If you have developed an asbestos-related disease, you will notice physical symptoms (keep in mind these symptoms might not become apparent until decades after your exposure). These may include:

●     Shortness of breath, hoarseness, wheezing

●     A persistent cough that gets worse over time

●     Blood coughed up from the lungs

●     Pain or tightening in the chest

●     Difficulty swallowing

●     Loss of appetite

●     Weight loss

●     Swelling of the neck or face

●     Fatigue or anaemia

Concerned you have asbestos in your home? Your best course of action is to contact a professional. If you’re looking for help with asbestos removal in the Aberdeen area, look no further than Gowrie Contracts. Our comprehensive range of asbestos services follow best practices to identify the most effective route to resolving asbestos issues with each individual site placing safety at the forefront throughout. For more information, get in touch today.