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I recently purchase a house where the garage ceiling has these gray colored panels nailed to the joist. The house inspector did not say that these where asbestos sheets, but it seems to me that he mentioned some other fire proof product. There was no mention in his writting report either way.
Since then, a drywall contractor who came over for a bid saw these panels and said that it was Asbestos. I told him that the inspector didn’t mentioned that, ae you sure. He said that he was 100%.
Later, I had another friend who is handy, but not a pro, take a look and he thinks asbestos too.
My question is this…what else might it be besides asbestos…and if it is asbestos…is the inspector liable?
The material is approx. 4 x 6 feet, looks alot like cement board that you would line a bathroom or shower with (Durarock?) but has the texture of MDF.
Thanks
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There is a very good chance that the material contains asbestos. My best advice to you would be to have a sample tested to be sure. You should be able to find a qualified contractor in your area to perform the test and any necessary abatement of the material. Don't mess with the stuff though, it's just not worth the risks associated with it.
*Asbestos cement board was everywhere years ago. My father used plenty of it in his shop. He'd cut it with a jigsaw. Never gave a thought to the dust. It was used as shingling. Any kind of fire stop.The asbestos was encapsulated in portland cement, so it may not be particularly dangerous if not damaged. If your not going to remove it,......actually, even if you are going to remove it, paint it, to seal in any surface dust.
*If it's asbestos, it's probably Transite or equivalent. Not dangerous unless you do something to put dust in the air. If you're worried, paint it with a good quality latex. If you remove it, save some. It's perfect for laying a piece 18"x24" on the bench and then solder, braze or weld stuff on top of it. Asbestos in any form does not automatically = cancer.
*Rob's point is good. If you take his advice or if you cover the panels, label them so the next person will know what you found out. It may cost you a few bucks to test, so pass on the knowledge to the next homeowner!
*Most standard home inspections do not include hazardous material identification or environmental issues. These inspection cost several times more than a structural, mechanical and electrical inspection. If you read your inspection report or agreement it probably states this. The only way you can tell 100% that a product contains asbestos is to have it analyzed by a qualified lab. Any speculation by visual inspection is useless and will not stand up in court. Many older homes have asbestos roofing and siding. The material is not dangerous if you leave it place.
*If it's a building product, it might well have some asbestos in it: for a hint at the range of building products with the big A, check out http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/asbestos/ashome.htmAs noted above, the only way to know for sure is with a laboratory test. Take a loom at the list at the EPA site and consider what a home inspector should advise re common building products.Asbestos generally isn't considered dangerous unless its friable: capable of being cruched by hand when it releases the microscopic particles which cause the problems.
*Thanks everyone...I feel a little better now. I think I will cover it with drywall and call it a day.Tremmelle
*Tremmelle, Don't forget to wear a mask and glasses when your drilling those holes overhead for the drywall screws which will need to be predrilled. Then vacumn the floor and wash your clothes. Tho there is supposed to be no allowable level of asbestos in your environment, I know many people who have had exposure over the years and have suffered no discernable effects. So just take the normal precautions, then don't think about it again. Jim
*Don't be paranoid about asbestos if correct precautions are taken. I worked at a remodel where asbestos was professionally removed. The area was cleared for re-entry by an industrial hygienist. I was showing a new-hire around when he saw one of the old asbestos warning signs. He immediately ran outside and as he was trying to light a cigarette he stood shaking and stammered "a guy could die of c-c-cancer in there."
*Mike,There are two types of asbestos -- you are right about white asbestos, the dust is no worse than any other stone dust, but just one fibre of blue asbestos lodged in a lung can lead to mesothelioma. Don't ever mess with that stuff.
*Thanks everyone...I feel a little better now. I think I will cover it with drywall and call it a day.Tremmelle
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I recently purchase a house where the garage ceiling has these gray colored panels nailed to the joist. The house inspector did not say that these where asbestos sheets, but it seems to me that he mentioned some other fire proof product. There was no mention in his writting report either way.
Since then, a drywall contractor who came over for a bid saw these panels and said that it was Asbestos. I told him that the inspector didn't mentioned that, ae you sure. He said that he was 100%.
Later, I had another friend who is handy, but not a pro, take a look and he thinks asbestos too.
My question is this...what else might it be besides asbestos...and if it is asbestos...is the inspector liable?
The material is approx. 4 x 6 feet, looks alot like cement board that you would line a bathroom or shower with (Durarock?) but has the texture of MDF.
Thanks