Guide · Safety and emergencies

Asbestos Awareness

A friendly, practical guide to where asbestos may be found in older homes, why it is best left undisturbed, and how to plan repairs and renovations safely with licensed professionals.

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Where to start

Something old is crumbling or damaged?
Stop, keep people and pets away, and don’t sweep it up. See if suspect material is damaged.
Not sure if it is old?
Treat it as if it could contain asbestos and leave it alone. Asking first costs nothing.
Planning a repair or remodel?
Test before sanding, drilling or demolition, and use licensed professionals. The checklist has the steps.

The short version

Asbestos is mainly a concern when it is disturbed. Knowing where it may be keeps everyone safe.

Leave old pipe wrap, textured ceilings, floor tiles and siding alone, and never sand, scrape or drill them.

If suspect material is damaged, keep people away, don’t sweep it up, and contact the owner right away.

Owners test before remodeling older homes and use licensed professionals for repair or removal.

Asbestos rules differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the EPA’s guidance and local rules. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.

Four simple rules

1
Leave it alone
Materials that may contain asbestos are safest when they are not disturbed.
2
Don’t sand, scrape or drill
Only trained, licensed professionals should test, repair or remove suspect materials.
3
Report damage
Share crumbling, torn or water-damaged materials in writing right away.
4
Plan renovations carefully
Test before remodeling older homes, and follow EPA and local rules.

Try it

Your asbestos awareness checklist

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.

0 of 7

Learned whether the home was built before the 1980s
Old pipe wrap, ceiling textures, floor tiles and siding left alone
Asked the owner before hanging pictures in textured ceilings or drilling into old materials
Children and pets kept from picking at old tiles, insulation or textured surfaces
Adhesive hooks used for light items instead of drilling into older walls, if the owner agrees
Nothing stored against old pipe insulation or on damaged floors
Crumbling, damaged or water soaked older materials shared in writing

If suspect material is damaged

Stop any work, and keep people and pets away from the area.
Don’t sweep or vacuum the debris. Close the door to the room if you can.
Turn off fans or heating and cooling that could spread dust, if it is safe.
Take photos from a distance.
Contact the owner or manager in writing right away.

Only trained, licensed professionals should test, repair or remove suspect materials.

Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

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The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.

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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, medical or environmental advice. Please use accredited and licensed professionals for testing and removal. Bunklow does not test for or remove asbestos.