Spring is generally agreed upon as the best time for buying and selling houses. It’s nearing the end of the school year, the weather is warming up and moving will be easy with summer coming.
Reports say that 2020 is going to be a seller’s market, so if you’re looking to get out of your house, now is a good time. But what if you find asbestos in your house? Can you still sell with potentially harmful material on the property?
Where is asbestos found?
Asbestos is a fiber that is found in many building materials used before the 1980s, including:
- Insulation
- Roofing and shingles
- Siding
- Paint
- Patching
- Vinyl flooring
- Water and steam pipes
When disturbed, asbestos can be very harmful. It can cause damage to the lungs and lead to cancers like mesothelioma.
What to do about it
If you find asbestos in your home, you must tell potential buyers about it. If your house was built or renovated between 1930 and 1980, it’s a good idea to have an asbestos survey done to ensure your safety and the safety of potential buyers.
If you know that you have asbestos in your house, do not touch it. Removing it yourself could put you and your family at risk. Always use a professional inspector and removal service to deal with asbestos.
Once you have talked to a professional about your asbestos problem, they will be able to help you know what to do about it. Often, solutions don’t have to involve complete removal. Instead, you may be able to seal or cover the asbestos.
Since asbestos was so widely used in building materials, don’t be too worried about selling your house if it has asbestos. All you can do is ensure that you deal with the issue properly.