Older homes often have a number of attractive features, but they can sometimes play host to an unexpected and wide variety of risks.

Materials we now know are toxic, like asbestos and lead, were once staples of the home construction industry. The use of asbestos was so prevalent, in fact, that it is presumed present in every home built before 1980 unless proven otherwise.

Some asbestos is contained in building materials, but damage to it can release harmful asbestos fibers.

You don’t typically have to worry too much about old asbestos tiles in your kitchen or lead pipes in your basement, provided, of course, that they’re in reasonably good condition, and aren’t located in a place that’s easily accessible by pets and children.

However, doing any significant work on your home—whether that means a minor repair or major renovation—may entail working with and around materials that might look innocuous but which could pose some very serious risks.

The Big 3 Hazards of Older Homes

Every home is different, and there’s no telling what could be in yours (without proper inspection and testing).

If anything, most older homes that have been kept in reasonably good repair are fit for habitation without the need for an overhaul. Nevertheless, many of these homes were built at a time when materials we now know are dangerous were considered perfectly safe. Unless a previous owner paid for asbestos abatement or lead remediation services, the majority of asbestos- and lead-containing materials have been left intact and relatively undisturbed.

Many old homes still contain asbestos and lead.

According to some reports, about 35 million homes still have asbestos somewhere on the property; similarly, nearly 40% of all homes are, in one way or another, lead-contaminated.

Other potential sources of danger, like mold, can show up nearly anywhere but tend to be more prevalent in older homes.

Although hazards differ from home to home, several are common enough to have earned their own moniker: the “Big 3” of home health hazards, consisting of asbestos, lead, and mold.

Here’s what you need to know about each:

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was once used to fireproof and reinforce building materials. Aside from being fireproof, asbestos is also incredibly strong and very adaptable. These traits led to asbestos being integrated in almost every type of construction product imaginable, from boiler ducts and gas vents to carpet underlays and roof shingles.

Asbestos has no smell or taste and you may not know if you’re breathing it.

As a general rule, asbestos-containing materials have no distinguishing characteristics and cannot easily be told apart from nontoxic, non-asbestos-containing materials. This rule is subject to a small number of exceptions.

Popcorn-style ceilings, for instance, have a highly recognizable texture and were popular in homes built between the mid-1950s and early 1990s—and which, up until the 1970s, almost always contained asbestos. Most other kinds of asbestos-based products have no distinguishing characteristics and cannot be told apart from similar non-asbestos-containing materials.

Cancer researchers: No amount of asbestos exposure is safe.

Exposure to asbestos, even in small quantities or for short periods of time, can have long-term health consequences. It is associated with a multitude of serious illnesses, including:

Asbestosis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Lung cancer
Malignant mesothelioma
Pleural disease

Always exercise caution if you believe there’s a chance your home could contain asbestos and, if you believe that a building material could be asbestos-contaminated, consider sending it in for testing before moving forward with any big projects. If you know for certain that a material is asbestos-contaminated, it is often best to leave it in place unless the product is damaged or otherwise likely to become friable.

Larger-scale asbestos problems—those that can’t be ignored—may require more intensive remedies, such as abatement or remediation.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that, much like asbestos, is quite strong despite being very malleable.

Historically, lead had a variety of in-home applications, but it was most often used in paint and pipes. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, “the older your home, the more likely it contains lead-based paint.” For example:

About 87% of all homes built before 1940 contain lead-based paint; whereas,
About 24% of all homes built between 1960 and 1978 contain at least some lead-based paint.

Lead and Its Significant Health Risks

Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. These problems can affect anyone of any age but can have a longer-term and potentially irreversible impact on children. Children under the age of 6 are especially vulnerable to lead exposure and lead poisoning, either and both of which can stunt mental and physical development.

Excessive amounts of lead in the home can typically be addressed through strategies such as:

Encapsulation, or covering the lead-based material with a protective coating
Enclosure, or covering the lead-based material with a new material
Removal, or the outright removal of the lead-based material

Old lead paint that has been damaged may start to chip in a very telltale fashion, but the presence of lead in paint is otherwise undetectable without testing.

Mold

Mold is a type of fungus that can be found just about anywhere in the natural environment that is both moist and oxygen-rich.

Outdoors, mold plays a critical role in breaking down dead plants and other decaying matter. Indoors, it can be caused by undiscovered and unaddressed accumulations of moisture. Mold is most often found in basements, kitchens, pantries, and dark or damp areas around plumbing fixtures. It can also grow in between floor tiles, on the ceiling, and on walls.

How can you tell if your property is developing a mold problem?

Mold has a distinctive visual appearance and can be green, brown, black, or even orange or white. However, all molds reproduce the same way: by releasing airborne spores, which can ride air currents through a house until they eventually settle in a mold-conducive location.

It can also be difficult to fully remove from a property. Small patches of mold can often be safely eradicated using protective gloves, a face mask, and a combination of warm water and detergent.

Addressing a Mold Infestation on your Property

Larger mold infestations may need professional treatment, especially if:

Mold is anywhere in or near your HVAC system
The mold was caused by a sewage leak
The mold is triggering physical symptoms in you or family members

Mold exposure can cause headaches, severe asthma attacks, and other chronic symptoms. These symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they are not usually life-threatening. However, some people, particularly those with weakened immune systems, may have a higher risk of serious illness.