You may have a hard time believing it, but Mesa was founded in the 1800’s! More specifically, 1878. That means that many of Mesa’s housing communities were built during the 1900’s.
“Interesting,” you may say. But you should definitely be interested if you own a home there. Why? Up until the 1970’s, asbestos was used a material in the construction of homes and factories.
What is Asbestos?
Simply put, asbestos is a sturdy mineral that is resistant to many of the elements, including fire, water and electricity. For that reason, asbestos was thought to have been a great medium for building. Not only that, but there are actually a handful of natural asbestos deposits in Arizona.
The Part You Should Know
Asbestos is hazardous to our health. It is known that this material has been responsible for the diseases mesothelioma, a form of cancer, and asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs. Deaths have been reported as a result of asbestos poisoning.
Does Your House Run a Risk?
In 1978, this hazardous material was banned. Before it was banned, asbestos was used for many purposes in a residential setting. A few of these uses are, but not limited to: the insulation of homes, the production of roofing materials and the application of textured paints. It can also be found in walls, floors, stove tops and in plumbing pipes. Therefore, if your home was built before the ban and has never been inspected for asbestos, you may need to take action.
What You Should do if You Suspect Asbestos?
When dealing with problems associated with your health, what do you normally do? Seek a qualified professional to give you accurate information. It is no different in this scenario. A professional will know how to spot asbestos, and he will be be able to recommend the exact course of action you should take. It may not be as scary as you fear, sometimes asbestos is better left untouched. However, that is not always the case. If removal is necessary, the material will have to be handled and disposed of properly.
Although you may not have ever imagined it, there was a period of time that the world used a dangerous material in the construction of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Mesa was no exception. So, please, take a moment to consider when your home was built, and if you need to get in touch with restoration professionals in Mesa AZ who can put your mind to rest!
