What Materials Contain Asbestos?

Asbestos can be in many places in a building, sometimes hidden behind newer building components or inside walls. Even new buildings can still have asbestos-containing materials, as the asbestos ban passed in 2024 is yet to be fully enacted. Often we find asbestos in building areas including (but not limited to):

Walls and Ceilings

  • Sheetrock: sheetrock, joint compound, taping mud compound

  • Plaster, stucco

  • Wallboards and mastic (glue) used to secure it

  • Ceiling/acoustic tiles

  • Texture applied to sheetrock/plaster, ceiling tiles (includes “popcorn”)

  • Acoustic and fireproofing panels, tiles, and treatments

  • Interior and exterior stucco

  • Window putty

  • Exterior siding

Floors

  • Floor tiles and vinyl sheet flooring

  • Mastics under carpet, tiles, and sheet flooring

Heating and Cooling Systems

  • Ductwork tape and insulation (white paper wrapping ducts or on seams)

  • Insulation, cement, and gaskets in flues as well as furnaces, woodburning stoves, and fireplaces, chimneys, hot water tanks, and boilers

  • Radiator paint and pipe insulation

  • Artificial fireplace logs and ashes

  • Fireproof pad for woodstoves

Roof (often found under other roofing layers)

  • Roof paper

  • Built up roofing

  • Roof paint

  • Under-roof insulation

  • Roof flashing

  • Mastic, and cement

Plumbing & Electrical

  • Pipe insulation

  • Water heater gaskets, insulation, and cement

  • Sink, shower, tub undercoatings, and insulation

  • Wire insulation, electrical outlets, electrical service panel (fuse box), light fixture backing, and can light boxes

Insulation

  • Vermiculite in ceilings, attics and walls

  • Block insulation

  • Panels

  • Spray-on thermal and acoustic insulation

  • Fluffy loose fill insulation in walls and ceilings and attics

Wondering whether your home or property might have asbestos-containing materials? The only safe way to find out is to have a licensed professional like Cromwell test for asbestos. Get in touch with us today to schedule a visit from our of our trained asbestos professionals.