Module 5 of 7 · Intermediate · 7 minutes
Hazardous Materials at Home
Learn to spot where asbestos, lead, biohazards and meth residue may hide, and why these jobs call for testing and trained crews.
What You Will Be Able to Do
- Know which homes are most likely to hold asbestos and lead paint
- Test before you cut, sand or scrape old materials
- Clean rodent and bird droppings without putting germs in the air
- Understand why blood, body fluids and meth residue need trained crews
- Protect children and pregnant people from lead dust
Lesson 1
Asbestos in Older Homes
Homes built before about 1980 are the most likely to contain asbestos. It can hide in pipe wrap, floor tile, popcorn ceilings, siding and insulation. You cannot see it. Only a lab test can confirm it.
Material in good shape that nobody disturbs is often safest left alone. The danger comes when it is sanded, scraped, drilled, sawed or broken, which puts fibers in the air.
Key Points
- Pre-1980 homes are the most likely to have asbestos
- Only a lab test confirms it
- Never sand, scrape, drill or break suspect material
Lesson 2
Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn texture from before the mid 1980s can contain asbestos. You cannot tell by looking. Get a lab result before you scrape, sand or even paint it.
Test every area that may have been sprayed or patched at a different time. A positive ceiling can stay put, be covered, or be removed by a licensed crew.
Key Points
- Test before you scrape, sand or paint
- Test each area that may have been done separately
- A positive ceiling can stay, be covered, or be removed by pros
Lesson 3
Lead Paint Before 1978
Assume paint in a home built before 1978 may contain lead until testing says otherwise. Lead dust, not intact paint, is the main way children are exposed. Children under 6 and pregnant people face the highest risk.
Never dry sand, power sand or torch old paint. Paid work in these homes falls under the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. Swab kits are good at ruling lead out, but a pro inspection shows where it is.
Key Points
- Pre-1978 paint may hold lead until tested
- Dust is the main danger, especially for kids under 6
- Never dry sand, power sand or torch old paint
Lesson 4
Test Before You Remodel
Before you open walls or pull floors in an older home, test suspect materials for asbestos and painted surfaces for lead. That includes drywall you plan to cut after a leak.
Expect surprises once the walls are open. Hidden rot and old mold are common. Budget time and money for them before you start.
Key Points
- Test for asbestos and lead before any demolition
- That includes cutting wet drywall after a leak
- Plan for hidden rot and mold behind walls
Lesson 5
Droppings From Rodents and Birds
Never sweep or vacuum droppings dry. That can put virus particles in the air. Open windows for 30 minutes, then soak droppings with 1 part bleach to 10 parts water for about 5 minutes. Wipe them up with paper towels while wearing gloves.
Bird and bat droppings can hold histoplasmosis spores. Mist them first and wear at least an N95. Large piles in attics or under roosts belong to a professional.
Key Points
- Never sweep or vacuum droppings dry
- Soak with 1 part bleach to 10 parts water for 5 minutes
- Large bird or bat piles are a pro job
Lesson 6
Blood and Unattended Death
You do not have to clean this yourself, and you should not. Blood and body fluids are regulated biohazards that trained crews remove safely. Nothing needs to be cleaned tonight.
Wait until police or the medical examiner release the home. Homeowners insurance often covers this cleanup, so ask before you pay. A good crew is discreet, explains each step and protects keepsakes.
Key Points
- Blood and body fluids are regulated biohazards
- Wait for police or the medical examiner to release the home
- Ask your insurer before you pay
Lesson 7
Meth Contamination
Residue from smoking or cooking meth soaks into walls, carpet and ducts. Odors and stains are only clues. Only lab tested wipe samples confirm it.
Do not clean it yourself or paint over it, since that hides the problem. If you find an active lab, leave right away and call the police.
Key Points
- Only lab tested wipe samples confirm meth residue
- Do not clean or paint over suspected residue
- An active lab means leave and call the police
Before You Disturb Anything Checklist
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