MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE Fighting For Asbestos Victims In Louisiana

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Asbestos exposure isn’t limited to the workplace

On Behalf of | Feb 1, 2020 | asbestos

If you are like most people, you think of construction workers, industrial workers and maybe firefighters when asked about asbestos exposure. You would never think that your home could be a source of this toxic material, but it could be.

Louisiana has many beautiful old homes, and you may want to purchase one if you haven’t already. You may love the structure but want to do some remodeling and renovating to bring it up to code and perhaps install some more modern conveniences.

Where could asbestos lurk in your home?

Before you take a hammer or any other tool to any part of your house, you may want to have someone check to see if it could contain asbestos. Below are some of the materials in your home that could contain it:

  • Glues used under flooring
  • Insulation
  • Popcorn ceiling texture
  • Shingles
  • Insulation on boilers and boiler pipes
  • Old cement siding
  • White tape on heating ducts
  • 9″x9″ floor tiles
  • Acoustic ceiling tiles

Even if you do have these items in your home, it does not necessarily mean you suffered exposure to asbestos. Most experts agree that, as long as there are no broken materials, it should provide you with some safety. However, if the materials have any damage whatsoever, you may want to get it checked out immediately.

Hopefully, you didn’t begin your renovations and remodeling before having an assessment done. The dust and fibers you sent into the air by breaking down a wall, lifting up tile or removing that popcorn ceiling could expose you to asbestos. If there was already damage when you purchased the home, perhaps as a “fixer upper,” the exposure could have already occurred.

What can do you if exposed?

Ordering an inspection for asbestos when buying a home is not something many people would necessarily do unless they had a reason to. Finding asbestos is not part of a normal home inspection. The inspector may point out materials that could contain the toxic material, but he or she does not usually have the expertise needed to verify its presence.

If the prior owner of the home knew asbestos was present but failed to tell you, he or she could bear some legal liability. If you suspect the seller didn’t tell you the home could expose you to asbestos, you may want to consult with an attorney experienced in this area of law, especially because it can quickly become complex.