BY EDITORS LIVIOS
where can you encounter asbestos?
Was your home built before the late 1990s? Then there is a real chance that there is asbestos somewhere in your home. A notification obligation or mandatory inventory for asbestos does not yet exist, so as a buyer you can never know with certainty whether the substance is present in a home.
Asbestos was mainly found in slate roofs, corrugated cement sheets, drainage pipes, floor tiles, insulation material, facade cladding and fireplaces. The infographic below provides a handy overview of the various asbestos-sensitive places and materials.
Recognition: Asbestos: companies recognized for demolition or removal works
What is asbestos?
Since the turn of the century, it has been prohibited in our country to produce, market and use asbestos. If you have an older house in mind, pay attention. Because it is quite possible that the dangerous substance is processed in different materials. But what exactly is asbestos and why is it blacklisted today?
Decades ago, asbestos was a very popular building material. This was due to the strength, heat resistance, wear resistance and insulating value of the material. Moreover, you could process it in just about all materials.
Strong, but health hazard
But over the years, asbestos has been found to be carcinogenic. You can easily inhale the harmful fibers. If the materials in which the stuff is processed are still in good condition, you don't have to worry right away. In that case, the fibers cannot be released.
In principle, an asbestos cement roof can remain in place for about 50 years.
Nevertheless, it is recommended to be careful with asbestos materials. Both in case of maintenance and disposal.