Since Jim Walter Homes was building houses in the US from 1946 through the end of the 20th century, it is likely that some products containing asbestos were used in some of the homes they built. It is also likely that most of the later homes built did not contain any asbestos products.
To determine whether asbestos-containing materials are present in any particular house, a careful survey by a qualified inspector would be needed. This would include the collection and analysis of samples of particular building materials.
Yes, asbestos was commonly used in building materials such as plaster 50 years ago. If you suspect asbestos in your home, it's best to have it tested by a professional and, if found, consider appropriate removal or encapsulation measures to prevent exposure and health risks.
Have you seen any mobile homes 'using asbestos' ? I look at and work in many and have not seen any asbestos -just conventional construction.
The cost of the insulation and cancer if you decide to use asbestos
In 1985 the last uses of asbestos were finally banned, however, most applications of it stopped in 1970.
Asbestos siding is a type of siding that was used between the 1920's and 1970's. There are health concerns with the use of asbestos on homes now. Asbestos was then added to cement to provide support, fire-retardant properties, and insulating. You can compare asbestos siding to others on the internet or go to a home-improvement stores.
Currently it is illegal to add insulation to a home with more than a very small percentage of asbestos. Exposure to these small quantities of asbestos typically do not cause harm and are considered to be safe. Older homes may have asbestos insulation that needs to be removed as these older forms of insulation do present certain health risks.
In many locations, only people who have been trained and certified can legally handle asbestos-containing materials. Sometimes exceptions are made for homeowners working on their own homes.
Asbestos testing is mandatory for anyone who is interested in purchasing an older home. Some older homes are known to have shingles that Asbestos. Asbestos is known to cause many serious health problems for individuals. Major breathing issues and cancer are the two major side effects of coming in contact with Asbestos. There are many private companies that specialize in Asbestos testing. These companies will also remove all portions of a home that is contaminated with Asbestos. It is vital for one to have an older home tested for Asbestos before making a final purchase. This simple step can preserve your health.
Many older homes are still in use with asbestos siding. As long as the asbestos is not damaged and is sealed off, there is little danger at the moment. If the asbestos is damaged or frayed, the home is possibly dangerous and the siding should be removed. To prevent asbestos from becoming a threat, cover it with vinyl or have it painted over with a thick layer of vinyl paint.
Asbestos was last commonly used in mastic products in the 1980s. Since then, regulations and restrictions have been put in place to limit or ban the use of asbestos due to its health risks. It is important to take precautions when dealing with older mastic products to avoid exposure to asbestos fibers.
Plaster that is seen to be fibrous might contain asbestos, depending on when it was put in place. The only way to be certain is to have a sample collected and analyzed by a qualified laboratory.
Asbestos (particularly blue asbestos)