• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Clean and Green Environmental PSG

Clean and Green Environmental PSG

Asbestos, Lead Paint & Mold Removal | Atlanta, GA | Protecting Our Environment

  • About Us
  • Services
    • Lead Removal and Abatement
    • Asbestos Removal and Abatement
    • Professional Mold Removal and Mold Remediation Services
    • Historic Restoration
    • Demolition
    • Commercial
    • Microbial Cleaning
  • Free Estimate
  • Projects
    • Videos
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook

Historic and Hazardous: What Contractors Need to Know Before Starting a Historic Home Renovation

October 3, 2020

Contractors working on houseAs an Atlanta contractor, you’re no stranger to the threat of asbestos, and you’re probably well aware of the risks. From the health and safety danger it poses to your crew, to the possibility of lawsuits and liability for improper handling, it’s clear that asbestos abatement needs to be left to the experts. However, it’s not always clear when asbestos is present. 

If you’re remodeling or renovating a historic building, you need to know how to spot asbestos. Keep reading to learn the warning signs of asbestos, or give us a call today at 678-807-7900 to get a free estimate on our asbestos abatement and removal services. 

Historic and Hazardous: The Hidden Environmental Dangers in Old Homes

Insulation

Homes built from the 1920s to 1990 are often insulated with vermiculite insulation which contains asbestos. According to the EPA, over 70 percent of all vermiculite insulation sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990 was sourced from the same asbestos-contaminated mine in Libby, Montana. Due to the extremely high risk of contamination, any vermiculite insulation should be approached as if it contains asbestos. 

Popcorn Ceilings

Homeowners can’t get rid of their popcorn ceilings quickly enough. After all, nothing screams, “This space hasn’t been updated since 1970!” quite like that bumpy texture. However, any renovation involving popcorn ceiling removal must be approached with caution. Popcorn ceilings installed prior to 1977 often contain asbestos fibers that can be extremely harmful if inhaled. The ceiling scraping process dislodges those fibers, which is why proper training and equipment is so important. 

Fireplaces or Wood Stoves

We know now that asbestos is a serious carcinogen, but before that discovery, it was widely used in construction materials because of its natural fire-retardant properties. For that reason, it’s often lurking in the materials used around fireplaces and wood stoves. 

Roofing

Because of its natural durability, strength, and fire-retardant properties, asbestos was commonly used in roofing materials before the early 1980’s. These asbestos-containing materials aren’t limited to asphalt shingles, but may also include asphalt roofing felt, cement roofing shingles, roof underlayment, sealant, and flashing.

Stucco and Siding

Any exterior renovations of homes built prior to the 1980s are also at risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos-laced cement was widely used in stucco and siding for its fire-retardant and strengthening benefits. 

Tiles

Asbestos is also found in floor tiles and tile adhesives, especially if the floor was installed between 1920 and 1960. However, even up until 1980, these materials were still being installed in homes. If you can see a layer of black adhesive where the tiles are broken or torn, it likely contains asbestos. If the tiles themselves look discolored or oily, they’re also likely to be contaminated. 

HVAC

Heating and cooling ducts are another, often-overlooked area that may pose an asbestos risk. Disturbing an HVAC system during renovation can expose contractors to insulation, cement, and tape containing asbestos. 

Of course, asbestos isn’t the only hazard of historic home remodeling. Paint, window sealants, and other pre-1990s building materials may contain another dangerous contaminant—lead. If you’re a contractor looking for environmental hazard abatement in Atlanta, we’re here to help. Contact us online to get the conversation started. We’ll be glad to assist you with any of your environmental cleaning needs on your next Atlanta renovation project.

Filed Under: Monthly News|Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

Get a FREE estimate today!

  • Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif, Max. file size: 3 MB, Max. files: 8.

    Footer

    Contact Us

    We invite you to contact us directly at 678-807-7900 with any questions or concerns. We passionately care about helping to clean and protect your property. We are here to help!

    Hours

    8:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday
    Saturday by appointment

    Licenses & Certifications

    Abatement Laws & Regulations

    Clean and Green Environmental PSG is committed to keeping up with all current regulatory standards. Our company maintains all of the required certificates and state licenses set forth by the Georgia State License Board, as well as other local, state, and federal regulations.

    © Copyright 2025 Clean and Green Environmental PSG.
    Website by:
    Trustworkz