Older Nashville homes have character — and sometimes asbestos. Know what's in the flooring, ceilings and duct wrap before you buy or start a renovation.
Asbestos was widely used in home building materials for much of the 20th century, especially in homes built before the 1980s. It can be found in vinyl floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, pipe and duct insulation, siding, roofing and joint compound.
Asbestos is generally considered a hazard when materials are damaged or disturbed — during demolition, sanding, drilling or remodeling — because fibers can become airborne. The only way to confirm whether a material contains asbestos is laboratory analysis.
Home Inspections by SP&D collects samples of suspect materials and submits them to an accredited laboratory. Results tell you which materials contain asbestos so you can plan safely.
These materials are frequently tested in older Middle Tennessee homes.
Vinyl and asphalt floor tiles, sheet flooring and the mastic beneath them.
Popcorn and textured ceilings, plaster and joint compound.
Insulation and wrap on heating pipes, ducts and older boilers.
Cement siding, shingles and some older roofing materials.
Many buyers of older homes in East Nashville, Green Hills, Belle Meade and other established neighborhoods plan updates soon after closing. Knowing where asbestos is located before demolition protects your family and your contractors.
Asbestos materials in good condition are often best left undisturbed. When removal is needed, it should be handled by qualified asbestos abatement professionals.
Testing during the inspection period also gives you time to obtain estimates and factor potential abatement costs into your purchase decision.
Mark's asbestos testing service covers:
It's most common in homes built before the 1980s, but some products contained asbestos after that. Testing is the only way to be sure.
Asbestos materials in good condition that aren't disturbed generally pose less risk. The concern increases when they're damaged or disturbed during repairs or remodeling.
No. Home Inspections by SP&D samples and tests. Removal should be performed by qualified asbestos abatement professionals.
Yes. Testing materials you plan to disturb is strongly recommended before any demolition, sanding or flooring removal in an older home.
A careful process from sampling to results.
Call 561-301-7571 and Mark will help identify which materials to test.
Samples are taken carefully to minimize disturbance.
Each sample is analyzed by an accredited laboratory.
Use the results to plan renovations or negotiate your purchase.
Asbestos Sampling • Accredited Lab Analysis • TN License #1374 • Serving Middle Tennessee