If you think your home contains asbestos in the plaster, get
a professional opinion from a certified asbestos professional. Don’t touch or
take samples of the plaster on your own if you think it contains asbestos, as
this may release particles into the air to be inhaled. Professionals certified
in the handling and disposal of asbestos are better suited to take care of the
substance in a safe way.
Special precautions must be taken to reduce exposure to asbestos while sawing, sanding,
grinding, drilling, breaking, general maintenance, renovation or demolition
activities, as dust/fibre may be produced. At no time should power tools be
used.
Patching plaster has been widely used for its ability to plug gaps and holes
that are found in ceilings and walls. One component of patching plaster that
made it so effective was asbestos. As a lightweight, fire-resistant, durable
and inexpensive material, asbestos was favored by a number of industries.
Despite its mass appeal, asbestos was also found to be highly toxic. As a
result, it led to the development of asbestosis and a deadly form of cancer known
as mesothelioma.
Many older homes are filled with all types of asbestos-containing products. In
addition to decorative plaster, another common building material made with
asbestos was wood fiber plaster (used to fill cracks and holes before staining
wood surfaces). Until the 1980s, asbestos was added to some wood fiber plaster
to increase its strength and ability to resist fire. Wood fiber plaster is used
to fill cracks and holes prior to staining. It has been, and continues to be
widely used by carpenters and others in the construction industry. One such
product used by many woodworkers prior to 1978 was RED TOP Wood Fiber Plaster,
marketed by the United States Gypsum Company.
lillfurybug Asbestos in lathe and plaster walls? Hi all, Our Massachusetts home
was built in 1900 and we appear to have all original lathe and plaster walls
throughout almost the entire building. We are not planning a renovation at this
point, but should we be considered about asbestos in plaster of this age? I
only plan to do small things like drilling furniture anchors into the wall,
etc. But if you read anything about drilling small holes into
asbestos-containing material, there is a lengthy protocol even for that,
including the shaving cream in a cup, masks, PPE suit, etc. Thanks, Heather
Take a look at the floor coverings in each room. They might all be the
same or similar, now, but you never know if the latest covering was laid
directly over the top of an older one. It is very common to find multiple
layers of floor covering to investigate. There might also be layers of
asbestos cement sheet or other materials between the layers of vinyl.
If you did find some suspicious materials don’t despair! If the sheet is
in good condition then potential fibres are safely contained. Provided,
that is, that you don’t take a hammer, saw, sand or drill to it of
course!! If you have any raw edges where the sheet has broken, etc, seal
it by applying a thick layer of PVC glue or paint for the interim.
Look for signs of damage. Even if the plaster does contain asbestos, this is
not a health risk as long as it is in good condition. If you see crumbling,
cracks, or water damage, or if the plaster has been sawed, scraped, or sanded,
it may be releasing asbestos fibers. If the plaster is undamaged, it's usually
best to leave it alone. Check periodically and take a sample only if damage
appears later.
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