Asbestos in the home

Although asbestos might be present in many places in your home, it is not of concern if it is maintained in an undamaged or unfriable state. This drawing can help you understand where asbestos might be located so that you can maintain household asbestos in good condition (especially when remodeling or doing household repairs) or seek professional help to properly remove it.

Where do I look for asbestos?

1. Exterior Surfaces
1. Deck Undersheeting
2. Cement Asbestos Board Siding and Undersheeting
3. Roof Felt and Shingles
4. Window Putty


2. Insulation
1. Loose Blown-in Fill Insulation
2. Batt Insulation


3. Flooring
1. Vinyl Asbestos Sheets, Tiles, and Undersheeting


4. Boilers, Heaters, and Piping
1. Heat Source Covering
2. Air Duct Lining
3. Door and Cover Gaskets
4. Pipe Lagging
5. Wall Gaskets and Lining


5. Interior Surfaces
1. Sprayed-On Acoustical Ceilings
2. Acoustical Tiles
3. Textured Paint
4. Heat Reflectors (Woodstoves)


6. Built-In Equipment
1. Water Heaters
2. Range Hoods
3. Clothes Driers
4. Dishwashers

Asbestos Do's And Don'ts For The Homeowner

• Do keep activities to a minimum in any areas having damaged material that may contain asbestos.
• Do take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material.
• Do have removal and major repair done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos. It is highly recommended that sampling and minor repair also be done by asbestos professionals.
• Don't dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos.
• Don't saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos materials.
• Don't use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring.
• Never use a power stripper on a dry floor.
• Don't sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. When asbestos flooring needs replacing, install new floor covering over it, if possible.
• Don't track material that could contain asbestos through the house. If you cannot avoid walking through the area, have it cleaned with a wet mop. If the material is from a damaged area, or if a large area must be cleaned, call an asbestos professional.