Expert asbestos sampling for homes built before 1990. Protect your family during renovations with certified laboratory analysis. Serving Larimer County, Weld County, and Cheyenne WY.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was widely used in building materials from the 1940s through the 1980s due to its fire resistance, durability, and insulating properties. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibers that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
You cannot identify asbestos by looking at a material - laboratory testing is the only way to confirm its presence. Many Northern Colorado homes, especially those built before 1980 in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and surrounding communities, may contain asbestos in various building materials.
Important Safety Warning: Never disturb, scrape, sand, or remove materials you suspect may contain asbestos. Improper disturbance can release dangerous fibers into the air. Always test first and hire licensed abatement professionals if asbestos is found.
Asbestos was used in hundreds of building products. The most common asbestos-containing materials found in Northern Colorado homes include:
Age Matters: Homes built before 1980 have the highest likelihood of containing asbestos. Homes built between 1980-1990 may still contain some asbestos materials. Homes built after 1990 are unlikely to contain asbestos, though it was never fully banned in the United States.
Testing is recommended in several situations to protect your health and ensure compliance with regulations:
Contractor Requirements: Many contractors require asbestos test results before beginning work on older homes. Having test results ready can prevent project delays and ensure proper handling of any asbestos-containing materials.
We discuss your home's age, your renovation plans, and identify which materials should be tested. We'll help you determine the most cost-effective testing approach based on your specific situation.
Using proper safety equipment and containment procedures, we carefully collect small samples of suspect materials. We minimize disturbance to the surrounding area and properly seal sample locations to prevent fiber release.
Samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). This method identifies whether asbestos is present and determines the type and percentage of asbestos fibers in the material.
You receive a comprehensive report including:
Results are typically available within 3-5 business days. Rush processing is available for time-sensitive projects.
Our straightforward pricing includes everything:
The number of samples depends on your situation:
Combined with Home Inspection: Asbestos testing can be added to any home inspection. When you're buying an older home, combining services saves time and provides a complete picture of the property's condition.
Quality Home Inspections LLC provides asbestos testing throughout Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming:
Many homes in these communities were built during the peak years of asbestos use. If your home was built before 1990, testing before renovation is strongly recommended.
If testing confirms asbestos is present, you have several options depending on the material's condition and your plans:
If asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and won't be disturbed, they can often be safely left alone. We'll help you understand which materials can remain and how to monitor them.
Some materials can be sealed or covered to prevent fiber release. This is often less expensive than removal and may be appropriate for certain situations.
If materials must be removed, Colorado requires licensed asbestos abatement contractors for larger projects. We can provide referrals to qualified abatement professionals in Northern Colorado.
We Don't Perform Abatement: To maintain objectivity, we only test and report. We don't profit from finding asbestos, so you can trust our results are unbiased. If abatement is needed, we'll recommend qualified contractors.
Asbestos testing costs $185 per sample at Quality Home Inspections LLC. This includes professional collection, certified laboratory analysis, and detailed reporting. Most homes require 1-3 samples depending on the number of suspect materials.
Asbestos use declined significantly after 1980 when EPA regulations began, though it was never fully banned in the U.S. Homes built before 1980 are most likely to contain asbestos. Some asbestos-containing materials were used into the late 1980s, so testing is recommended for any home built before 1990.
Asbestos materials that are intact and undisturbed generally do not pose an immediate health risk. The danger occurs when materials are damaged or disturbed, releasing fibers into the air. Intact materials can often be safely left in place and monitored.
Common asbestos-containing materials include popcorn ceilings, vinyl floor tiles (especially 9x9 inch), pipe insulation, vermiculite attic insulation, cement siding, HVAC duct insulation, and joint compound. Testing is the only way to confirm presence.
Yes, if your home was built before 1990, asbestos testing is strongly recommended before any renovation that will disturb building materials. Many contractors require test results before work begins, and proper handling of asbestos protects both workers and occupants.
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Professional sampling. Lab-certified results. $185 per sample.