Asbestos Inspections, LLC

Lead and asbestos inspections are essential for keeping older properties safe and healthy, especially in places like New Hampshire and Rhode Island, where many buildings still contain these hazardous materials. Both lead and asbestos were popular in construction for their unique benefits—lead for its durability in paint and plumbing, and asbestos for its fire resistance and insulation properties. But while they were once standard in building materials, we now know they pose serious health risks.

When disturbed, asbestos fibers can become airborne and easily inhaled, leading to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other respiratory issues. Lead exposure, often from old paint or pipes, is equally harmful, particularly to children, as it can cause developmental delays and other serious health conditions. This is why lead and asbestos inspections are critical, especially if you’re planning renovations or simply want peace of mind in an older home or office.

Lead and asbestos inspections involve a thorough assessment by certified inspectors who safely test for these materials without exposing you to risk. We perform a lead risk assessment of your property and prepare an Occupant Protection Plan (OPP) for lead abatement (if necessary). If lead or asbestos is found, we provide guidance on how to handle or remove it, ensuring your property meets current safety standards.

These inspections not only keep you and your family safe from potential exposure but also help you avoid legal and health issues down the road.

Lead and asbestos inspections are a key step in protecting families, employees, and the community. They offer a straightforward way to detect these materials and take necessary actions, creating a safer environment for everyone. Whether you’re remodeling or just want to ensure a healthy space, our lead and asbestos inspections give you the confidence that your property is safe and compliant with today’s health standards.

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Hazardous materials such as Asbestos and Lead can be found in:

• Attic and wall insulation produced containing vermiculite
• Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives
• Roofing and siding shingles
• Textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings like “Popcorn Ceiling”
• Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets
• Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape
• Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets with asbestos insulation

Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear, such as:

• Windows and window sills;
• Doors and door frames; and
• Stairs, railings, banisters, floors and porches.
• Lead dust.

A lead inspection and a lead risk assessment are two different processes used to identify lead hazards in buildings, particularly in homes or structures built before 1978 (when lead-based paint was banned in the U.S.).

Lead Inspection:

• A lead inspection involves a thorough check of the property to identify the presence of lead-based paint. It typically uses an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine or a lab test of paint chips to determine if lead is present in the paint, dust, or soil.
• This inspection is designed to specifically identify lead-based paint hazards and determine whether lead is present in specific areas of the home or building.

Lead Risk Assessment:

• A lead risk assessment goes a step further than a lead inspection. It includes an evaluation of the current risk posed by lead-based paint or other lead hazards (e.g., contaminated dust, soil, or deteriorating paint).
• The risk assessment evaluates factors like how much lead-based paint is peeling or chipping, the condition of surfaces, and whether lead dust is accumulating. It also involves sampling dust or soil and may identify any potential lead exposure risks.
• The goal is to determine the likelihood of lead exposure and recommend ways to reduce or manage the risk, such as by cleaning or stabilizing deteriorating paint.

Both processes are important for protecting children, pregnant women, and others from the harmful effects of lead exposure. While an inspection helps identify whether lead is present, the risk assessment helps figure out how much of a threat that lead may pose to health and what needs to be done to address it.

Asbestos Inspection

An asbestos inspection is a process where a trained professional assesses a building to check for the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Asbestos was commonly used in building materials until the 1980s , but are still used today because of its fire-resistant and insulating properties. However, it’s now known that asbestos can pose serious health risks, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, when its fibers are inhaled.

What Happens During an Asbestos Inspection:

1. Visual Inspection: The inspector will look for materials that may contain asbestos, especially in areas where building materials are older. Common materials that might contain asbestos include:
   • Pipe insulation
   • Floor tiles and vinyl flooring
   • Ceiling tiles and textured ceilings (e.g., popcorn ceilings)
   • Roofing materials
   • Wall insulation and adhesives
   • Fireproofing materials
2. Sampling: If suspected asbestos-containing materials are found, the inspector will take small samples of those materials to send to a certified laboratory for analysis. The lab will confirm if asbestos is present.
3. Assessment: The inspector will also evaluate the condition of any materials that might contain asbestos. Materials that are in poor condition (e.g., cracked, crumbling, or damaged) are more likely to release harmful asbestos fibers into the air, which could be dangerous.
4. Report: Once the inspection is complete, the inspector will provide a detailed report. This will include the locations of asbestos-containing materials and their condition.

Why It’s Important:

An asbestos inspection is crucial for safety, especially before renovation or demolition work, since disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release fibers into the air. If asbestos is found, appropriate steps—such as removal, encapsulation, or proper sealing—can be taken to prevent health hazards by a Licensed Asbestos Abatement Contractor.

Our inspectors are licensed and trained as required by applicable State Laws of New Hampshire along with Rhode Island.

Asbestos Inspections, LLC is also fully insured.