Practical guidance from JSA
Where building concerns may occur.
The same questions can arise in a home, office, retail space, or public building. Start with the materials, moisture conditions, and work you have planned.
These are possible locations, not a diagnosis. A photo, surface color, or building age cannot confirm asbestos or lead. Moisture signs help guide an investigation; the illustration does not show test results.
Roof & exterior
Some roofing and siding products may contain asbestos. Roof leaks can also wet materials below.
Learn about asbestos →Walls & ceilings
Paint, patching compounds, and textured finishes may need evaluation before work. Stains or recurring dampness can guide a moisture investigation.
Learn about lead →Floors & hidden layers
Some vinyl flooring, backing, and adhesives may contain asbestos. Damp carpet and other wet materials may support mold growth.
Learn about mold and moisture →Pipes & building systems
Some pipe insulation may contain asbestos. Leaks around plumbing and equipment can affect nearby materials.
Explore suspect materials →Drinking-water outlets
Lead-containing plumbing components can affect water at an individual tap. Water sampling follows a different process from testing paint or building materials.
Explore drinking-water testing →What matters before disturbing a material?
Tell your consultant where the work will happen and what it will change. A SurveyAn organized inspection of the areas and materials within an agreed scope. A limited survey does not automatically cover the entire building. or assessment should address the relevant areas and materials, including limits on access. Looking at a neighboring surface or a photograph is not a substitute for evaluating the actual material.
Sources checked September 20, 2026: EPA: asbestos-containing products, EPA: lead exposure sources, EPA: mold and moisture, and EPA: lead in drinking water.
Your questions are welcome
Let’s talk about your property.
You don’t have to choose a test on your own. Tell us what you’ve noticed or what work you’re planning, and we’ll help you understand the next step.