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Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were commonly used in construction materials through the late 1970s.  When broken or disturbed, asbestos containing materials release asbestos fibers that can cause fatal lung and stomach diseases if inhaled or ingested.

By law, anyone owning or working on a property is supposed to presume the presence of asbestos until tested and proven otherwise.  A survey is needed before remodeling or demolishing a home, apartment, condo, office, store, or any other type of structure.  This includes activities like scraping sprayed ceiling texture, pulling out vinyl flooring, tearing off an asphalt roof, cutting out stucco,  or replacing an old furnace or  ducting.

Our California OSHA Certified Asbestos Consultants will provide you with quality asbestos testing at reasonable prices. Our inspection reports provide homeowners and homebuyers with peace of mind and contractors with guidance for ensuring that their construction work is compliant with California Occupational Safety and Health Association, Environmental Protection Agency, and Air Quality Management District regulations. 

How do you inspect for asbestos? What do you look for?

 For remodeling we test materials that will be disturbed by the renovation; most commonly interior wall/ceiling plaster, sprayed ceiling texture, ceiling tiles, vinyl floorings, and exterior stucco. 

For complete demolition we survey all suspect asbestos containing materials. The above list plus many more; asphalt roofing, window glaze compound, heat duct and water pipe insulation, firebrick, mortar, etc. 

What is the sampling technique?

In order to sample a possible asbestos containing material, we either drill out a small hole or collect a chip of the material when that is more appropriate. 

How many samples must be taken?

The number of samples required for a thorough asbestos testing depends on the amount and type of material in the building. Federal,state, and local AQMD protocols are followed to determine the number of samples needed. For a more precise estimate of how many samples are needed for your asbestos inspection, give us a call.

Can I stay while the inspection takes place?

You are safe to stay in your home or building throughout the duration of asbestos testing.

I have popcorn ceiling in my house,  what should I do?

Call us for an asbestos inspection appointment. We can collect samples, send them to the lab and provide you a written report with our findings, recommendations and photos. 

The probability of it containing asbestos it depends on the type of popcorn ceiling. Usually it is a 1/15 chance if it is sand based. If it is a larger popcorn type texture, then it is a 1/2 chance of having asbestos. If it was installed before the 1980, then the material is suspect for asbestos. 

Can you tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it?

No, in order to tell whether a material contains asbestos, you must use either PCM (Phase Contrast Microscopy), PLM (Polarized Light Microscopy), or TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy).

How much do you charge?

The cost is a function of many factors. Rather than display imprecise cost estimates, we would prefer to talk with you on the phone or email and gather more information about the work that you need to have us do so that we can give you our most accurate pricing.

What are the chances that my property contains asbestos?

Hundreds of building products used asbestos until the 1970s so if your property is older than 1980, it is likely that there are asbestos containing materials. 

How long does it take to do an asbestos survey?

For an asbestos home inspection, 2 to 4 hours is expected. For commercial asbestos testing, the time required depends on the size and layout of the building. Give us a call if you want a more accurate time estimate.

How long does it take to get lab results?

Lab results are available in 2-3 working days. On special request, expedited lab results can be obtained within 24 hours.

How long does it take to get a report?

The written report can take up to one week. We also offer expedited report writing.

What health problems are caused by asbestos?

Asbestosis, lung cancer, and stomach cancer are just a few diseases that can be caused by asbestos exposure. For more information, visit this CDC link:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/asbestos/

Are you certified?

All inspectors are certified with the California OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as asbestos consultants.

Why should I have an asbestos inspection?

Our inspectors are California Certified Asbestos Consultants. Your inspection and report will give you outside lab results, photos, and expert recommendations. The cover letter can be used for local building permits and the area Air Quality Management District reporting requirements prior to demolition. Above all, you will have the peace of mind that your family, neighbors and workers are not exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers.

I already removed the material, is there still a risk?

Even if you have removed the material, there is a risk that asbestos debris is present.

Do you perform asbestos removal?

Under California state law, Certified Asbestos Consultants cannot perform removal of asbestos containing materials. This rule is in place in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest and ensure the most objective asbestos testing possible.

Relevant Links/Sources of Information:

Los Angeles/Orange County:

http://www.aqmd.gov/home/regulations/compliance/asbestos-demolition-removal

San Francisco/Bay Area:

http://www.baaqmd.gov/permits/asbestos

CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/asbestos/

OSHA:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/