Purchasing Or Renovating an Old Building In Valparaiso? Check For Asbestos.

Tim April 18, 2022 Asbestos Removal 0 Comments

Most people in Valparaiso, IN have heard of asbestos, but they don’t realize the health implications and legal requirements associated with the compound. Asbestos was commonly used as a construction material from the early 1940s until the late 1970s, though it wasn’t federally banned in new construction until 1989. During this period, it had widespread use as an effective and cheap fire-retardant and insulation.

Health Concerns

Research in the 1970s found that asbestos is directly associated with several health problems – namely respiratory-related issues. These include an increased risk of lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. These health issues are related to acute and chronic exposure to asbestos fibers. Some studies have found that asbestos-related symptoms do not appear for 10 to 20 years after exposure.

The primary exposure pathway is through breathing. Asbestos is very stable, so it can remain suspended in the air for an extended period after it is disturbed. You should always have a professional deal with material you know (or think) may contain asbestos.

What Asbestos Means for You

In Indiana, the Indiana Department of Environmental Health (IDEM) regulates the removal of asbestos containing material (ACM) in commercial, industrial, and multiunit residential developments. They do not oversee single-family homes or residential developments with four or fewer units.

If you are purchasing or renovating a structure built when asbestos was used, it is essential to complete an asbestos assessment.

Single Family Home or Small Residential Development

While these structures do not full under IDEM oversight, it is still a good idea to check for asbestos. It is important to ensure that you, your family, or your tenants are not at a health risk. Additionally, if asbestos is discovered during future work on the property, you may be financially responsible for its abatement. This typically includes an assessment to identify asbestos, sampling the potential ACM, and removal and disposal of ACM.

Commercial, Industrial, and Large Multiunit Residential Properties

These types of structures are larger, and, in most cases, if you are using a bank to finance the purchase, they will require an asbestos assessment. This is usually a requirement because large scale asbestos assessment and remediation can be quite costly and may require regulatory involvement by the IDEM. By identifying asbestos before a property transaction, you can factor that cost into the purchase price or know what you will have to deal with down the line.

How Aegis Can Help

We maintain state-certified asbestos consultants on staff that are knowledgeable on the assessment, remediation, and regulatory process. Our inhouse team can provide a turnkey solution to meet your concerns or bank requirements. Get in touch if asbestos is a concern, and we will take it from there.

Client Testimonials

Fantastic company to work with. I'm under contract to buy a home and an underground storage tank was discovered by my home inspector. After a call with Aegis, they were able to get out to the property quickly to assess the problem. Turns out, there are FOUR underground storage tanks present since the property is multi-family. They have been very thorough, professional, and communicative to work with so far. I highly recommend working with them for any/all of your environmental remediation/cleanup needs.

I was having my HVAC system completely replaced including the ductwork. While down in the crawl space, the HVAC guys found asbestos on the trunk lines they were replacing. I called Aegis Environmental and Marty was able to come out the same day and take a look and give me an estimate. He was out the very the next day removing all the ductwork that had asbestos. Marty was professional and went right to work. I was extremely pleased with the pricing, as well. This company was absolutely great to work with! Hopefully I don't have to call them again for anymore asbestos, BUT they're who I would call if I had to! Great company and Marty was AWESOME!

I found Aegis after having a new sump pump system installed. The sump system could not fully finished as it required some cutting in my basement and I had asbestos tile. I needed the tile removed before work could be done. I wasted over 2 weeks on a different contractor who was happy to give me a quote, but never schedule an appointment. In frustration, I reached out to Aegis who immediately gave me a quote, quickly scheduled an appointment, and then showed up on time on the scheduled day. Marty, the tech, was quick, competent, and friendly completing the work in short order. My experience with Aegis was entirely positive, and if I need their services again, I would not hesitate to hire them for the job.

My husband and I were buying a house and during the inspection, it was discovered that there was an abandoned underground oil tank on the property. I contacted Aegis to have them inspect the tank, complete a soil test, and to empty and fill the tank. Marty called me back almost immediately after my initial phone call to Aegis! He walked me through every step of the process and kept me informed at each stage. He was always available - I even emailed him once after hours and he responded even though I didn't expect a response until the next morning! Marty was so kind, patient, knowledgeable, and he answered each and every question I had (and I had a lot of questions!). Once Aegis emptied and filled the tank, I was sent a report with a summary of the work completed, including pictures. They did a wonderful job in ensuring that the yard looked just like it did before they did any work. When the soil test was completed, I was also sent a report explaining the results along with a graph showing the lab results. I would highly recommend Aegis for any underground oil tank needs, especially Marty!

Our Commitment To Our Clients

Throughout time many things change, one thing that remains consistent is our sincere dedication to our clients. You can trust Aegis for quality, dependable service that is done within the framework of good science. Our staff takes great pride in being service-orientated and going the extra mile to meet our clients’ expectations. Our professional staff will get the job done and work in a manner that will give you the peace of mind you deserve while taking care of your environmental needs.