Do Home Inspections Check For Asbestos?

A complete home inspection is considered the gold standard to learn about the build quality and longevity of a home, among others. So much so that almost every homebuyer seeks to conduct an inspection before making a purchase. 

In fact, thorough home inspections are considered even more crucial when purchasing older homes since they’re more likely to have inherent problems. 

However, the one question that most real estate buyers have on their minds is this: do home inspections check for asbestos? 

This is especially true for buyers looking to purchase homes dating back to three or four decades since asbestos was common in construction back in the day. 

And a straightforward answer to the question is no, a pre-purchase home inspection doesn’t look for asbestos. 

But it isn’t that black and white either, as you can still go for an asbestos home inspection, a specialized inspection to detect asbestos, before purchase. 

So let’s have a look up close and see what home asbestos inspection is all about. 

Do home inspections check for asbestos or not? 

A major concern for homebuyers looking to buy older properties, particularly those built before the 1980s, is asbestos. That’s because although once commonly used in home building materials, long-term exposure to asbestos can pose serious health hazards. 

You see, in the old days, asbestos was used for fire resistance, thanks to the presence of non-flammable substances within it. As such, from flooring tiles to roofing shingles to textured paint to insulants to piping materials, just about everything had asbestos. 

However, the problem lies with asbestos fibers, which are released into indoor and outdoor air either over time or during home renovations and demolition. 

So what’s exactly the problem, you might wonder? 

Well, breathing in air with asbestos particles has been linked to severe health conditions ranging from common lung diseases to lung cancer to mesothelioma (a rare type of cancer). 

Unfortunately, a typical pre-purchase home inspection will not detect asbestos since spotting asbestos calls for special training, expertise, and license. 

Nonetheless, you can go for a full-fledged asbestos home inspection at the time of general home inspection to detect asbestos right away. 

Also, these home inspectors can help you determine whether or not the asbestos problem can be fixed. And if not, you can even walk away from the purchase deal after inspection. 

Should you go for an asbestos home inspection? 

As we saw, your typical home inspection will not look for asbestos. 

So, you might find yourself asking if you should go for an asbestos inspection. After all, a separate inspection will only add to your bills. 

Well, we suggest you go for an asbestos inspection before purchasing an old home. That’s because not only will it give you a clear picture of asbestos presence, but also provide effective remedies if asbestos is found. 

You can also ask your home inspection company questions such as ‘Do your home inspectors check for asbestos?’ 

And if they do, it might be a good idea to get an asbestos inspection done by them. In fact, this will be way more cost-efficient than hiring a separate inspector. 

Furthermore, you can request your inspection firm to collect samples from roofing and flooring, among others, and send them for lab-based asbestos tests. 

But why is it so important to check for asbestos? 

The fact that some of the most serious health risks are linked to asbestos materials dissolving in the air makes asbestos inspection indispensable. 

But isn’t there any other way you can know if there’s asbestos in a home? 

Well, the short answer is no, you can’t. 

The reason is that Federal laws don’t make it mandatory for existing homeowners to disclose the presence of asbestos to potential homebuyers. 

Talking about Florida, the state laws do require owners/sellers to provide a complete picture of defects or hazards such as asbestos. However, it is not mandatory for them to complete the disclosure form, which means the chances of non-disclosure are still there. 

Similarly, a home containing asbestos can pass a pre-purchase inspection easily if its major structural and foundational systems are in good shape. So you’ll never know if the home contains asbestos. 

As such, a thorough inspection for asbestos detection is the only way you can be assured of safety and well-being. 

When should you conduct a home asbestos inspection? 

Asbestos is not something you should be worried about if the home is up to two decades old. And even if the home is much older, there’s a good chance that the existing owner has already mentioned the asbestos presence in the disclosure form. 

Also, it goes without saying that not all old homes have materials containing asbestos. 

Nevertheless, if you’re looking to purchase an old home with no mention of asbestos in the disclosure form, you should look for potential signs of asbestos. 

For instance, you can look for the following signs: 

1. Old asphalt roofing shingles 
2. Flooring made with vinyl 
3. Textured paint 
4. Popcorn ceiling 
5. Old insulation system 
6. Outdated HVAC system 
7. Flooring or wall damages

It is important to note here that signs are not proof of asbestos presence. However, there are chances that asbestos might be detected in these materials. 

So, a secondary inspection conducted by a certified asbestos inspector will give you a surety and help you decide whether or not to buy the property. 

Asbestos found in home inspection: What should you do? 

It is possible to find asbestos during home inspection. But, the mere presence of asbestos doesn’t pose a health hazard. 

In fact, a lot of building materials made using asbestos are completely safe as they don’t release asbestos fibers unless disturbed in a major way. 

For instance, a wall containing asbestos may never release asbestos fibers unless you undertake some destructive measures such as drilling. 

Nonetheless, if you notice any signs of asbestos damage or fiber exposure, it’s best to remove all asbestos materials. 

Here’s what you can reasonably ask the existing homeowner to do in such situations: 

1. Asbestos containment 

Containment is an efficient and affordable measure if the problem is not very widespread. For instance, if there’s a small damage leading to asbestos exposure in a limited area, containment can be the best remedy. 

Herein, the affected area is usually sealed off using special paints by a specialist. 

2. Asbestos removal 

Asbestos removal is a sophisticated procedure done by licensed asbestos removal firms. They adhere to the Florida Asbestos Removal Program to get rid of asbestos-containing materials entirely. 

Also, these firms will sanitize and ventilate the home after asbestos removal and safety despite the contaminants as per local and state laws. 

You should go for asbestos removal if the exposure is no longer confined to a small area and has spread to large parts of the home. 

What if the homeowner refuses to undertake asbestos containment/removal? 

If a homeowner is unwilling to undertake essential asbestos containment or removal before selling the property, it is reasonable to ask for a renegotiation of the purchase deal. 

In such a situation, you can adjust your new offer for the projected cost of asbestos containment or removal. 

You might also want to read – Mobile Home Inspection Checklist: Everything To Know About.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. Do home inspectors check for asbestos? 

A regular home inspector doesn’t check for asbestos. That’s because they’re neither licensed for asbestos testing nor are they required to conduct such a test. 

Nevertheless, asbestos testing is conducted by licensed asbestos home inspection firms, which are separate from other home inspection companies. 

Note: It is possible for a home inspection firm to also be licensed for asbestos inspection. And if so, they can legally check for asbestos in a property. 

2. Will a home inspection find asbestos? 

An asbestos home inspection need not always detect asbestos. 

You see, although old homes are most likely to have materials containing asbestos, that is not always the case. Meaning it is highly likely for an old home to pass an asbestos test with flying colors. 

Also, even if a home inspection finds asbestos, it’s not hazardous unless asbestos fibers are exposed to the air. 

3. How much does an asbestos test cost? 

According to Angi, the national average cost of asbestos home inspection is $483. 

However, you can expect to pay in the range of $230 to $783, depending on the size of the property and the extent of tests involved. 

Not to mention, this cost can also go up to $1200 in some cases where samples are difficult to collect and test. 

4. Is it worthwhile to invest in a home asbestos inspection? 

Investing anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand dollars on asbestos inspection is completely worthwhile. More so if you’re looking to buy a property worth hundreds of thousands. 

As we discussed earlier, there are various ways a property owner can hide asbestos presence from you. Also, even if a home passes major structural integrity and safety parameters during an inspection, the chances of asbestos presence are still there. 

So, it is in your best interest to get an asbestos inspection conducted by a licensed firm. 

5. How much does asbestos removal cost? 

The asbestos removal cost ranges between $450 and $6000. Herein, the actual cost is determined by the removal method and the amount of asbestos that needs to be removed. 

For instance, if the asbestos exposure is minimal, you can go for containment measures, which will cost you in the lower range of the price. 

Nevertheless, full-scale asbestos removal is usually expensive as it involves complex abatement and disposal methods. 

In all, you can expect to pay $2197, on average, for asbestos removal. 

6. Does asbestos impact a home’s resale value? 

Yes, it sure does. 

You see, the very presence of asbestos in building materials is seen as a major red flag by homebuyers. 

And given the dangers involved with asbestos, buyers either ask homeowners to undertake asbestos removal or try to renegotiate the deal altogether. 

You might also want to read – Third Party Inspection For New Home: A Complete Guide. 

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Conclusion 

As you can see, typical home inspections don’t check for asbestos. And for obvious reasons, as asbestos inspection is a different domain and calls for separate licenses and skillsets. 

Nonetheless, it is a good idea to go for an asbestos home inspection as it can give you unparalleled peace of mind. 

Remember, an asbestos inspection is never a replacement for complete home inspections, as you need the latter to determine a home’s safety and longevity. Asbestos checks can, however, complement your overall inspection procedure and shed light on the presence of potential hazards. 

Looking to conduct a full home inspection? 

You can get in touch with us!

We are Homestead PI, a seasoned South Florida home inspection company with over 10 years of experience and unmatched expertise. And we’ve covered all your inspection requirements at the most cost-efficient rates.