If you’re a homeowner who loves projects, chances are you’ve seen a TikTok where someone rips up a tile or smashes through a wall.
While these viral renovation videos are satisfying, they may also be inspiring dangerous DIY habits. And a recent study by Asbestos.com—which analyzed more than 280 viral TikToks and surveyed over 1,000 homeowners—proves just that.
According to the study, 1 in 8 of the TikToks showed flooring or adhesives that may contain asbestos, especially when it comes to older tile patterns and black mastic.
Furthermore, 61% of the homeowners who followed TikTok renovation trends didn’t test for asbestos first when renovating themselves—and 1 in 10 later discovered they had unknowingly disturbed it.
Sara McDaniel, a TikToker who owns Minden Stays in Minden, LA, is a real-life example. She discovered asbestos beneath her floors while renovating an older home and had to spend thousands to professionally remove it.
Let McDaniel’s experience serve as a warning: Before you tear up floors in an older home, be mindful of asbestos. Inhaling these microscopic, odorless particles fibers can lead to serious illnesses—such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma—often developing years after exposure.
A TikToker’s asbestos surprise
Several years ago, McDaniel purchased a 1940s home that had slipped into foreclosure with the intention of renovating it and turning it into a short-term rental.
The property featured hardwood floors with tiles on top of them. McDaniel was unaware of any asbestos—until she removed the tiles.
“The asbestos was surprising but pretty obvious. The floors were extremely discolored and had lots of nicks and gouges. I was afraid to sand them enough to refinish them,” McDaniel tells Realtor.com®.
To remedy the situation, she hired a professional asbestos remediation crew. After that, she didn’t do much herself.
“We simply sanded and primed the floors. Then, I hired a professional artist to come in and paint the check boards,” says McDaniel.
If you suspect you might have asbestos, she recommends you reach out to a professional company for testing.
“They will come and grab a sample, send it off for testing, then provide you with a quote for professional remediation if needed. I would not recommend trying to remediate yourself as you can damage your body and the environment, explains McDaniel.
How to spot asbestos to protect your home—and health
While asbestos is invisible to the naked eye, it’s often found in homes built before 1980, 9×9-inch floor tiles, sheet vinyl flooring, black mastic adhesive, popcorn or textured ceilings, and crumbling materials.
If your property contains any of these, be proactive and call a licensed asbestos inspector or environmental testing firm to test for asbestos.
“Asbestos testing is a good idea before you buy an older property or tackle a large renovation or demolition. It also makes sense following water or fire damage that requires material removal or if you’re applying for permits that request asbestos documentation, says Robert Weitz, principal and founder at RTK Environmental Group in Stamford, CT.
Weitz recommends hiring an independent, certified testing company that never conducts remediation. This can ensure your results are unbiased and accurate.
Regarding costs, it depends on what kind of testing is needed, whether the property is residential or commercial, how large the space is, and how many samples are required to get an accurate picture. According to Angi, pricing for asbestos testing ranges from $230 to $782.
If asbestos is found, removal isn’t always the next best step.
“In the event the asbestos is intact and undamaged, it may be safer to leave it in place and monitor it. If it’s damaged or deteriorating, professional removal or encapsulation will likely be required,” explains Weitz.
Angi estimates average asbestos removal costs of $2,238, but they can be $460 to $6,000.
While asbestos may be out of sight, it shouldn’t be out of mind. Know its signs, invest in testing when it makes sense, and let the pros handle any removal when necessary.
