What does asbestos do to humans?

• <div><p>When asbestos fibers become airborne, they enter a person's respiratory system. These fibers scar and damage the lungs and often lead to serious cancers like mesothelioma. Like many dangers in the house, asbestos isn’t easy to see when it could be causing serious damage. The amount of time exposed, combined with the person’s tolerance for asbestos inhalation and the amount inhaled, will all contribute to health problems.</p></div>

Is asbestos commonly found in older homes?

• <div><p>Asbestos is commonly found in certain older homes, depending on the time period in which they were built. Asbestos use in home construction began in the 1920s and peaked after World War II before being limited by legislation in the ’70s, so a house constructed in 1880 is unlikely to contain asbestos, while one built in 1950 is much more likely to. Research a home’s history to determine the time period when it was built and any renovations made since. </p></div>

Get matched with top percolation testing pros in Littlefork, MN

Q: How do I locate where the smell is coming from?

• <div><p>While a professional can always help, there are some common plumbing culprits you can check yourself to see if you can find the sewer gas smell. For example, you should check your water traps, sometimes called P-traps and S-traps, which are located under sink, shower, and laundry drains. The wax ring beneath the base of your toilet, which creates a watertight seal with the plumbing, could also have gone bad.</p></div>

Q: What products still contain asbestos?

• <div><p>There are products that still contain asbestos, but they were typically installed decades ago. Common places where you may still find asbestos-containing materials are in siding, wrapped around ductwork, in older appliances (i.e., stove and gravity furnaces), and in floors. Asbestos was primarily used as an insulator, so anywhere in an older home where you lose heat is where you will most likely find asbestos.</p></div>

Q: How can you tell if old flooring has asbestos?

• <div><p>You can tell if old flooring has asbestos if thick black flooring adhesive is underneath the tiles. However, homeowners should not cut into linoleum floors to look for this adhesive. Instead, hiring a specialist to test the floors is the only safe way to determine if old flooring has asbestos.</p></div>

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your percolation testing project in Littlefork, MN?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Find Percolation testing pros in Littlefork

No results for Percolation testing pro in

Try adjusting your search criteria.

Percolation Tests questions, answered by experts

While a professional can always help, there are some common plumbing culprits you can check yourself to see if you can find the sewer gas smell. For example, you should check your water traps, sometimes called P-traps and S-traps, which are located under sink, shower, and laundry drains. The wax ring beneath the base of your toilet, which creates a watertight seal with the plumbing, could also have gone bad.

When asbestos fibers become airborne, they enter a person's respiratory system. These fibers scar and damage the lungs and often lead to serious cancers like mesothelioma. Like many dangers in the house, asbestos isn’t easy to see when it could be causing serious damage. The amount of time exposed, combined with the person’s tolerance for asbestos inhalation and the amount inhaled, will all contribute to health problems.

There are products that still contain asbestos, but they were typically installed decades ago. Common places where you may still find asbestos-containing materials are in siding, wrapped around ductwork, in older appliances (i.e., stove and gravity furnaces), and in floors. Asbestos was primarily used as an insulator, so anywhere in an older home where you lose heat is where you will most likely find asbestos.

Asbestos is commonly found in certain older homes, depending on the time period in which they were built. Asbestos use in home construction began in the 1920s and peaked after World War II before being limited by legislation in the ’70s, so a house constructed in 1880 is unlikely to contain asbestos, while one built in 1950 is much more likely to. Research a home’s history to determine the time period when it was built and any renovations made since.

You can tell if old flooring has asbestos if thick black flooring adhesive is underneath the tiles. However, homeowners should not cut into linoleum floors to look for this adhesive. Instead, hiring a specialist to test the floors is the only safe way to determine if old flooring has asbestos.

The Littlefork, MN homeowners’ guide to percolation testing services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Kate Fann
•
May 22, 2026May 22, 2026
How to Test a Septic Drain Field’s Effectiveness
Learn how to test a septic drain field to ensure it’s functioning properly before encountering costly issues.
Dan Simms
•
Apr 10, 2026Apr 10, 2026
When Is the Best Time to Do a Perc Test?
Not sure about the best time to do a perc test? Learn about factors that affect results and test costs to choose the ideal timing for your project.
Dan Simms
•
Apr 4, 2026Apr 4, 2026
Who Does a Perc Test?
Getting the right pro for your perc test is crucial for getting legal approval for your project. Learn who does perc tests to ensure an official result.
Dan Simms
•
May 2, 2026May 2, 2026
Soil Test vs. Perc Test: Which Do You Need?
Not sure what kind of testing you need for your land? Learn about the differences between a soil test vs. a perc test and when to order each of them.
Mizuki Hisaka
•
May 22, 2026May 22, 2026
How to Test Your Water Quality in 4 Quick Steps
Discover how to test your water quality at home or at a local lab. It's usually quick and easy to do and tests are available at a range of price points.
Rachel Hoffman
•
May 2, 2026May 2, 2026
When Is the Best Time to Soil Test?
Soil testing at the right time can give you the best information about your soil condition. Learn the best time to soil test and what factors can affect soil test timing.