You’re about to redo your home decor, and one of the items on your agenda is redoing the ceiling, which has what appears to be texture. You want to remove this material, so the finish is smooth and installing recess lighting, but do you have asbestos in your ceiling? Let me tell you how you can find out.
How to test for asbestos
There is no way to tell just by looking at something whether or not it has asbestos. The only way to tell is to have it tested for asbestos. Get started by covering the floor beneath the area where you will obtain the samples, get an excellent sturdy step ladder, goggles, latex gloves, a couple of small jars, and a spray bottle filled with soapy water. Then spray the surface before cutting a piece with your knife. Do this in two areas. Place the slices in separate jars, labeling them with locations and numbers. Because you are installing recess lighting, you will also need a couple of samples of the attic insulation. Using a 1-gallon Ziploc© bag, fill it up with the insulation. Try grabbing pieces from different corners of the attic.
Now that you have the material, it’s time to take them to an asbestos testing lab for analysis. The lab technician will examine each sample using the PLM method—Polarized Light Microscopy. This test will yield information that includes the asbestos content, type, and percentage.
How much does it cost to test for asbestos?
Depending on the laboratory that you choose, prices will vary depending on the lab’s size, the methods used, and turnaround time for the results. But expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $55 per sample, plus any additional services such as high point count and rush service.
Asbestos testing lab
If you need to get some building materials tested, you can send a sample to test for asbestos to 5 Microns Inc. Standard turnaround time is 2-3 business days for results with rush service available in as little as three hours turnaround time from receipt.
Where can I send a sample for asbestos testing?
Mail-in samples to the following address *at Tabor 100 co-working offices:
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
IMPORTANT-MUST READ FIRST: All mail-in samples must have a tracking number and include our asbestos chain of custody form to be processed. If the chain of custody form is missing, your sample(s) will not be accepted and processed. Drop-offs MUST have the COC form inside your package but not in the sample bag. DO NOT MAIL YOUR SAMPLES BY FIRST CLASS MAIL. Send your sample(s) via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, and FedEx. It is essential to closely follow these directions so our asbestos testing lab can promptly process your sample(s).
*PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL DROP-OFFS: All samples must be dropped off at the back of the office building located at 7100 Fort Dent Way Tukwila WA outside the Tabor 100 Office and placed inside the black drop-box pictured below. Do not take your samples to the front desk. The front desk will not accept drop-offs over the counter, NO EXCEPTIONS
