If you have an older home with a fireplace, the chimney may be lined with asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used to make chimneys because it's strong and nonflammable, which reduces the risk of a fire starting if a stray ember is sent up the chimney.

Unfortunately, asbestos in your home poses a health risk if you inhale the fibers. Your body can't break down asbestos, so it sits in your lungs and increases your risk of developing cancer. However, asbestos in your chimney isn't necessarily always dangerous. To learn more about the potential hazards of asbestos in your chimney and how you can tell if your home's chimney is lined with asbestos, read on.

Is Asbestos Inside Your Chimney Dangerous?

Asbestos will only cause health problems if you inhale the fibers. If your chimney is in good condition, then the asbestos in your chimney may not pose a problem. However, chimneys that are lined with asbestos are all quite old, so they're rarely in perfect condition.

If the chimney starts to break apart, the asbestos fibers can fall down the chimney into your fireplace, where you may inhale them. The top of the chimney is normally what deteriorates first since it's exposed to the outside elements. If your chimney is lined with asbestos and it's breaking apart, then it poses a health hazard to you and your family.

How Do You Know if You Have Asbestos in Your Chimney?

You can sometimes tell if your chimney is lined with asbestos by looking at the inside of it with a flashlight. Asbestos fibers have a rough, uneven appearance, and they'll be gray or black in color. When you're examining your chimney, make sure you don't touch anything you suspect is asbestos, as you may release fibers into the air.

If your chimney is starting to deteriorate, you may also see asbestos fibers in your fireplace that have fallen down the chimney. Crumbling asbestos fibers typically look like black soot.

What Should You Do if You Think Your Chimney Is Lined With Asbestos?

If you think that your chimney has asbestos inside it, have it tested by a professional asbestos inspection service. They'll take samples of the inside of your chimney and send them to a lab for testing. You shouldn't test suspected asbestos on your own, as you may release fibers into the air inside your home. A professional asbestos inspection service will also take samples of the area around your fireplace to see if there are any asbestos fibers present inside your home.

A chimney that's lined with asbestos will need to be replaced if it's starting to crumble apart. If you're worried that your chimney may have asbestos inside of it, get it tested by an asbestos inspection service so that you know if you need to replace it. You'll have greater peace of mind knowing that asbestos fibers won't fall down your chimney and circulate around the air inside your home.

For more information, reach out to an asbestos inspection service near you.