11/12: Green Remodeling for Healthier Living
Category: Green Construction
Posted by: Mason
Do you live in an older home that has plenty of character but also a host of other traits you fear may be causing health problems for your family? Just what’s inside an old house can be a concern for many who make their home inside older domiciles that were built with out-of-date, toxic construction materials. While old homes are stately and often fun to live in, they can be full of building products that affect the well-being of those inside, including adults, children, and even pets. One of the most toxic materials found in these homes is asbestos.
While many people view asbestos as a thing of the past, the fact remains that millions of homes worldwide still contain the hazardous mineral. Most often, it’s found in attic insulation that was manufactured by any number of well-known companies who included the mineral in their products manufactured prior to about 1980. But it can also be found in acoustical tiles and popcorn or drop ceilings, in drywall and drywall glue, wrapped around pipes and electrical wire, and in roof tiles or exterior shingles.
If you’re considering a renovation project in order to make your older home more eco-friendly, proceed with caution, especially if you’ve decided to tackle the project on your own. Only professionals with asbestos experience should handle this dangerous material. That’s why it’s essential to hire a building inspector to comb the house for asbestos before you proceed. Asbestos that’s found inside or outside your home will need to be sealed off or removed, depending on what sort of renovations are being done. In most states, the material – if it is to be removed – must be abated by a licensed company trained in asbestos removal. This avoids any danger of inhaling airborne asbestos fibers or dust caused by damaged or old asbestos. Fibers can become lodged in the chest area and eventually cause the cancer mesothelioma. Even just a small amount of exposure can lead to this devastating disease later in life.
Once the asbestos is removed, however, you can proceed in making your home a greener place to live by replacing it with more suitable materials that will help your family maintain good health. Products like spray foam insulation, cellulose, or cotton fiber insulation are good choices and most are quite energy efficient as well, cutting energy costs sometimes by as much as about 35 percent. Though they might be more expensive to install, the savings pays off in the long run.
Article Provided By:
http://www.mesothelioma.com
While many people view asbestos as a thing of the past, the fact remains that millions of homes worldwide still contain the hazardous mineral. Most often, it’s found in attic insulation that was manufactured by any number of well-known companies who included the mineral in their products manufactured prior to about 1980. But it can also be found in acoustical tiles and popcorn or drop ceilings, in drywall and drywall glue, wrapped around pipes and electrical wire, and in roof tiles or exterior shingles.
If you’re considering a renovation project in order to make your older home more eco-friendly, proceed with caution, especially if you’ve decided to tackle the project on your own. Only professionals with asbestos experience should handle this dangerous material. That’s why it’s essential to hire a building inspector to comb the house for asbestos before you proceed. Asbestos that’s found inside or outside your home will need to be sealed off or removed, depending on what sort of renovations are being done. In most states, the material – if it is to be removed – must be abated by a licensed company trained in asbestos removal. This avoids any danger of inhaling airborne asbestos fibers or dust caused by damaged or old asbestos. Fibers can become lodged in the chest area and eventually cause the cancer mesothelioma. Even just a small amount of exposure can lead to this devastating disease later in life.
Once the asbestos is removed, however, you can proceed in making your home a greener place to live by replacing it with more suitable materials that will help your family maintain good health. Products like spray foam insulation, cellulose, or cotton fiber insulation are good choices and most are quite energy efficient as well, cutting energy costs sometimes by as much as about 35 percent. Though they might be more expensive to install, the savings pays off in the long run.
Article Provided By:
http://www.mesothelioma.com
