Before the Holiday Home Projects Begin, Know What You’re Tearing Out
Before the Holiday Home Projects Begin, Know What You’re Tearing Out
You’ve got a few weeks before Thanksgiving, and that home project is starting to sound manageable.
Replace the guest-room flooring. Update the laundry room. Finally do something about that old ceiling.
For homeowners in Safford, Thatcher, and Pima, fall can be a good time to tackle improvements before holiday company arrives. But before the first tile comes up or the scraping starts, there’s one question worth asking:
Do you know what’s in the material you’re about to disturb?
That Old Flooring Deserves a Second Look
Some building materials, including certain older floor tiles, ceiling materials, and insulation products, may contain asbestos.
That doesn’t mean every older home has a problem. It does mean appearance alone can’t tell you whether a material contains asbestos. A photo, the color of a tile, or a neighbor’s experience isn’t enough to confirm it.
If your project will disturb suspect material, get professional guidance before demolition begins. The EPA recommends professional sampling and qualified laboratory analysis when suspect materials are damaged or will be disturbed during renovation.
The Project Changes When Materials Are Disturbed
Pulling something out can seem like the easiest part of a remodel. But cutting, sanding, scraping, or breaking asbestos-containing material can release fibers into the air.
That’s why “we’ll just tear it out ourselves” can complicate an otherwise straightforward project.
A little planning before work starts gives you time to understand the material and choose the right approach—without a half-demolished room and guests arriving Friday.
Finding Asbestos Doesn’t Automatically Mean Removing Everything
It’s important to keep this in perspective.
The EPA generally recommends leaving asbestos-containing materials alone when they’re in good condition and won’t be disturbed. A professional can help determine whether leaving material in place, repairing it, or removing it makes sense for your situation.
The goal is to make an informed decision about the specific work you’re planning.
Already Started and Found Something Questionable?
Pause the work rather than continuing to break up or scrape the material.
Don’t collect a sample yourself, and don’t sweep or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. Keep others away from the work area and contact a trained asbestos professional for guidance.
An unexpected discovery is frustrating. Taking the time to assess it properly is still better than pushing ahead without answers.
Put the Assessment Before the Demolition
Before buying new flooring or scheduling a weekend of teardown, explain the full project to your contractor. Include the layers you plan to remove and any damaged materials you’ve noticed.
If asbestos assessment or abatement is needed, build that into the schedule before the cosmetic work begins.
Legacy Restoration provides asbestos abatement services alongside water, mold, and fire damage restoration for the Gila Valley and surrounding communities.
Planning an update and unsure about the materials involved? Call Legacy Restoration at (928) 224-9115 or visit LegacyRestorationAZ.com before you start tearing things out.
