"I guess the first step is testing it, which my husband is getting the test to send off as I write this."

Yes, you could be wasting all this perfectly good panic.

I would think you should complain to the electrician about this. If it's asbestos, they have created a health hazard in your home. Especially since you warned them beforehand

First find out if it is asbestos and then just clean it up. The stuff in processed foods and stress will kill you before one exposure to asbestos will.

Even if it's not asbestos, I would complain about the mess they left behind. That's not good business ethics to go around leaving that kind of mess.

Where are you located? Is there an asbestos abatement company nearby? Call immediately and find out from experts what you need to do. If you have to pay someone to come in and fix this, go after the contractor to pay for the abatement. This is serious business, especially if you home school which means your kid is at home more than usual.

Wacokid, I disagree. They knew going in what they were facing. Were the workmen bonded and insured?

Oh, and Prisca Anne I do feel terrible for your situation. Just the cleanup alone even if it's not asbestos... That company should definitely go on your "do not call" list for next time.

I hope you get a great result and it's not asbestos.

The problem is that all of that should have been discussed before they were hired to the job, not 10 seconds before they began. I'm sure they discussed what would be done and how it would be done. If asbestos was a concern, then the company should have been called last week and a meeting scheduled. You are just as much at fault as they are, actually more so because you knew there was a risk beforehand and didn't do anything about it.

Whether there should have been a plan before hand or not is actually irrelevant. As soon as the *professionals* knew there was any chance of encountering asbestos they had an obligation to ensure their own safety and that of the building's occupants. Period. Even if that meant stopping the job, getting the test, and billing for the time lost.

Sure the homeowner has a responsibility. But any tradesperson with any experience knows that when dealing with a historic house they might encounter asbestos. Being from a mill town I've been aware of it from birth. There isn't a time in my life when I can remember learning about asbestos because we've simply all always known. It's pretty common knowledge which the electricians surely have, and ignored.

And the mess they left (allegedly) is totally unacceptable. I couldn't find a 1" length of wire after our electricians were done each day and we did a complete rewire of our entire house.

Tradespeople also know that there is extreme fearmongering when it comes to anything asbestos related. And before you say that I don't know what I'm talking about, I actually do. I know the risks, and I know what the media and the "asbestos remediation" companies want the public to believe.

They did the job they were hired to do. They weren't concerned about the asbestos, but now the homeowner is. That is solely on the homeowner.

Wacokid, I've had installers pack up their tools and tell me they're leaving the jobsite because they've removed cabinets and found black mold. The legal standard is "knew or should have known." They knew there was asbestos there, they went ahead without regard for the risk.

Don't spend your time on Houzz, call an asbestos abatement company today. It can't hurt to get an opinion and a quote.

If they are licensed and the job is permitted they don't have the option of not being concerned. Whether it's fear mongering or not, they have to take appropriate precautions. If a test is so easy to do, do it and put the homeowner's mind at ease. Charge her whatever you want for it.

We're not talking about floor tiles that are being covered by carpet or laminate here. We're talking about actual piles of insulation billowing around the house.

The OP said "possible asbestos", they still don't know because they haven't had it tested. So to say the contractors knew, is incorrect.

Insulation is not "billowing" all over the house.

HUGE PILES of insulation (OP's words) plus kids plus a vacuum does equal billowing.

Of course we don't know to what extent the insulation is actually left all over. But she describes it as being on furniture, picture frames, and the kid's toys. It must be on the floor too. When anyone moves normally through the house that will be dislodged and become airborne.

There is no proof that it contains asbestos, that's true. But there was no reason to take the chance and certainly no need to make and leave the mess that is being described.

If it is asbestos keeping it wet it key to cleaning it up for real. So if you have solid floors, mop instead of sweeping. Pull out the steamer for cleaning draperies. Throw bedding in the wash and clean everything.

Also change out the filter in your central air, you'll be grossed out by how much is in there even if it isn't asbestos.

wacokid it sounds like your experiences were a little different, in that those were cases where work was done, a homeowner found out there was asbestos present, and then tried to sue. The homeowner was subsequently judged responsible because they created a dangerous work environment by not disclosing the presence of asbestos. Or am I misunderstanding?

Whereas here the OP did tell these electricians that asbestos was a possibility. At that point, the prudent thing to do would be to politely say "thanks for letting us know. We're not particularly concerned, but get the testing done and if it comes back negative we'll reschedule this work. Here's your bill for our time so far. Have a nice day." And leave. Nothing forced them to stay there and do the job, and they were fully informed of the potential for risk.

I am leaving this thread, deleted my above comments. Good luck to the OP.

"They knew there was asbestos there, they went ahead without regard for the risk."

They had testing done?

Thanks for all the feedback. :)

Lindsey, I can assure you my reaction to 4 men wasn't because they were MEN, but because I thought maybe they were right and I was just paranoid because of mesothelioma commercials and internet reading. I've slung M16s and humped M60's through the jungles with men, so no, MALE INTIMIDATION wasn't part of the equation. :)

The damage is done here at the house and they can't undo that.

When their boss man comes around today you can bet we're having a pow-wow. He should teach these guys about the dangers of old homes.

The timing was this: yes, the boss man came and we discussed exactly what was going to be done. Then I find out from a separate AC contractor that the insulation may contain asbestos, right before the Elec guys show up. The Elec guys act like it's no big deal.

The guys did try to clean up and that was part of the problem.

The test results aren't in yet but I'm treating it as though it's asbestos because it likely is.

Some folks treat this like it's life and death, which I'm tending to be in that camp, and then others are so cavalier about it. Both can't be right.

i went out and got a good bagged vacuum yesterday (impossible to find! Not Walmart, Home Depot, lowes, or Best Buy! Sears had one) and lots of cleaning supplies. My life is going to be cleaning up this nightmare for the next few weeks.

Im sorry some of you took to fussing in this post. I appreciate the time everyone took to comment. :)

In all likelihood, you and your family will come through unscathed, save for the minor irritations, annoyances and a little expense. The Houzz community has a lot of different personalities on it, but it doesn't lack concern and empathy for others. A lot of us have kids, and you know that it's most important to all of us that they are safe and I think that was the driving concern here.

It's good that you know how to assert yourself with men, military service can do that and we all thank you for that! Have a great day and keep us updated!

A bagged vacuum is useless without a HEPA filter changed every hour. You’ll only make it worse.

Asbestos insulation is a pretty specific look. Since no pictures of the offending product were provided, anything and everything is speculation.

Yes, hepa filter and lots of extra bags! On sale at sears! :)

Don't do anything until you have this tested. If it is negative then great. If it is positive, you need a lot more information before you go ahead - more than just some Houzzer's opinions. Do you research from scientific places that won't fear monger you. Asbestos is serious, take it seriously, but with a clear head so it isn't a panic situation.

Lindsey, I can assure you my reaction to 4 men wasn't because they were MEN, but because I thought maybe they were right and I was just paranoid because of mesothelioma commercials and internet reading. I've slung M16s and humped M60's through the jungles with men, so no, MALE INTIMIDATION wasn't part of the equation. :)

--awesome!

Some folks treat this like it's life and death, which I'm tending to be in that camp, and then others are so cavalier about it. Both can't be right.

--I think both can. I've seen so many families deal with the fallout from asbestos in the mills; when there are only 10, 000 people in your town and they are almost all employed at one of three places, you know who dies when and from what. My grandpa's generation was so terribly affected and were strongly advised to have yearly chest exams and x-rays. Many of his peers were riddled with disease, some never have had a whiff of it. And they all worked at the same place at the same time doing the same jobs. Over the years I've come to put it in the same file as FAS: some will be affected, some won't, but why take any chances?

My father was an expert who would testify in court about asbestos and my uncle died from Mesothelioma. Adverse effects normally come from long time exposure but anytime those fibers are in the air it can be dangerous. Simply wearing a mask won't take care of the issue. It has been documented that wives of shipyard workers contracted cancer from washing their husband's work clothes. I would not attempt clean up yourself. See if your kids can stay with friends until you know one way or the other. Seal off your room. If this is asbestos the company that did this work should have to pay for a team of professionals to handle this issue. In the interim please call a company specializing in asbestos removal and discuss the best way to handle this as others have suggested.

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