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Digging Out of Paper Clutter - Part 2
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they can be properly filed. Continuing from our last article, your sort has left you with two piles - ‘to file’ and ‘to throw away/recycle.’ You’ve tossed the garbage/recycling, so now you...
For Sale By Owner - How To Sell Your Home Yourself
'For sale by owner.' Four words that are becoming more and more common in the real estate market. But it selling your home yourself the right approach for you? And if so, how do you go about it?
Let's start with the first question. The "for sale...
Get Your Home Ready To Sell
Have you been considering selling your home in the near future? If you have, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a good long look at your home, using an unbiased eye.
After all, a clean, appealing, well maintained home has much better odds...
How To Install Bamboo Flooring
Not just food for pandas or the stuff of cheap picnic mats, bamboo is now being processed with modern techniques into beautiful "hardwood" flooring that beats standard wood floors in durability, hardness, and dimensional stability.
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Repairing Household Cleaning Equipment
One thing we probably don’t stop to think about everyday in terms or our home is cleaning equipment repair. Of course as soon as something doesn’t work right, then the subject comes to mind. The best way to avoid having to fix something is to take...
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Checking for Asbestos in Your Home
If you are concerned about asbestos exposure you are not alone. Many individuals wonder if they have been exposed, and if so, what they can do to help protect their health. If you think that you have been exposed to asbestos or are looking for ways to prevent an exposure, look no further. We will go over some of the health problems that arise from asbestos exposure, and what can be done to prevent them.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used for a variety of different applications. Many homes may have this material in their insulation, as it is a fire retardant. Once exposed, individuals can inhale the microscopic asbestos particles and take them into their lungs. Once there, the fibers can cause lung cancer. If prolonged exposure occurs, an individual can also develop cancer in the chest cavity and abdomen.
It is important to note that many individuals have experienced brief exposure and been just fine. The fine asbestos particles are difficult to see and get rid of, so it is common for them to remain in their air for long periods of time thus increasing the risk of cancer. Smokers are at an increased risk for side effects due to exposure.
If you think that your home may have asbestos there are several places that you want to look. It is important to remember that products today do not contain the fiber, only things built in the 1970’s or earlier.
- Steam pipes, boilers, and furnace ducts could be insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. If the fibers become damaged or are repaired improperly, they could lead to exposure.
- Resilient floor
tiles- the backing on many vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives could contain asbestos. Sanding the tiles or scraping them could release the fibers.
- Cement, millboard, and paper that were used as insulation around furnaces and wood burning stoves. Repairing or removing these appliances could stir up the fibers.
- Door gaskets- in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves.
- Sound proofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings. Sanding, drilling or scraping the material could be harmful.
- Cement roofing, shingles, and siding. This usually only cause a problem when sawed, drilled, or cut.
If you think that you have asbestos in your home, don’t panic. If the material is good condition, you can leave it alone. It is only when these materials are disturbed that there is a problem. If you find a damaged area- discard it using asbestos gloves and a facial mask. Your local health or environmental officials will be able to walk you through the proper disposal procedure. Always check with them when beginning any remodeling job.
Remember, the only way to find out if something contains asbestos is to look at it under a microscope. Enlist the help of a professional, and let them handle the details. They are trained in such removal procedures and can help ensure the safety of your family and loved ones.
About The Author
Kasi Jones is a freelance health writer and contributing author to http://www.asbestoscenter.info – a site providing free information on asbestos and mesothelioma.
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