What to Do When Property Damage Uncovers Hidden Asbestos in Your Home

A tree limb crashes through a roof, a broken pipe floods a basement, strong winds destroy siding or a kitchen fire causes damage to a home.  For property owners with insurance, any one of these events will have them in contact with their insurance provider.  In many circumstances, the damage incurred will be clearly evident and straightforward, but this is not always the case as there can be unforeseen complications. 

Residential and commercial properties built through the 1970s were often constructed with building materials that contain asbestos.  Asbestos was used in the past for everything from roofing, shingles and siding to floor tiles, insulation material, textured paints and joint compounds. In fact, some reports indicate it was used in over 3000 materials by the 1970s.

For properties with asbestos-containing materials, a simple roof or kitchen repair has now become much more complicated and involves exposure risks to asbestos fibers.  Although conditions associated with inhalation exposure to asbestos can take decades to appear, it is known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states, “Federal law does not require persons who inspect, repair or remove asbestos-containing materials in detached single-family homes to be trained and accredited; however, some states and localities do require this.” 

Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC, advises people with property damage in buildings constructed up until the 1970s to be on the lookout for asbestos-containing materials before any cleanup and repair activities begin.  “The only way to be sure whether a material contains asbestos is to have it tested,” said Mr. Waldie.  “Qualified asbestos inspectors can be hired to inspect a home or building, assess conditions, take samples of suspect materials for testing, and advise what corrections are needed.  If repair or removal of asbestos materials is required, inspectors can ensure the corrective-action contractor follows proper procedures, including proper clean up and can monitor the air and surfaces for asbestos fibers.”

The property damage and insurance claims experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters understand that what may initially appear to be a simple claim can often have complications.  Their experts treat every case with the precision and expertise necessary to ensure that insured property damage claims are properly addressed and that settlement offers from insurance providers have taken everything into consideration.  The end result provides their customers with peace of mind knowing that their claim was handled properly and that they have received the most accurate and complete settlement.