If you think asbestos may be in your home, don’t panic! Usually the best thing is to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone. Asbestos material that is ever disturbed by handling, hitting, rubbing, or exposed to airflow or extreme vibration can be hazardous. If you find damaged asbestos material, there are two types of corrections: repair and removal. Repair usually involves either sealing or covering asbestos material.

Sealing (encapsulation) involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos fibers together or coats the material so fibers are not released. Pipe, furnace, and boiler insulation can sometimes be repaired this way. This should be done only by a professional trained to handle asbestos safely.