Asbestos

What this collection covers

Asbestos was used in building materials well into the 1980s, in floor and ceiling tile, pipe and boiler insulation, textured coatings, roofing, and siding. It becomes a hazard only when those materials are damaged or disturbed and release fibers into the air. Because asbestos can't be identified by sight, laboratory testing of a sample is the only reliable way to confirm whether a material contains it. The guides below cover how testing works, where asbestos is commonly found, and what the results mean.

These resources are written for homeowners, buyers, property managers, and contractors deciding whether they need testing before a renovation, a demolition, or a sale. They explain when testing is legally required versus strongly advised, the difference between abatement and removal, and what to do if a material tests positive. That way you can plan the safe, compliant next step instead of guessing from a building's age.