Yes. Homes built in Las Vegas before 1980 have a high probability of containing asbestos-containing materials somewhere in the structure. Asbestos was used extensively in residential construction through the late 1970s because it was cheap, fireproof, and an effective insulator. It was not banned from most residential applications until the late 1980s and early 1990s, and even then the ban was partial.
The Las Vegas housing boom of the 1950s through 1970s produced a large number of tract homes across North Las Vegas, the east side, and older neighborhoods near downtown that were built with the materials standard at the time. If you own one of those homes and have never had an asbestos inspection, the odds are reasonable that asbestos-containing materials are present somewhere in the structure.
Where Asbestos Was Most Commonly Used
Popcorn or textured ceiling finishes were one of the most common applications. If your home has that rough sprayed texture on the ceilings and it has never been replaced, there is a meaningful chance it contains asbestos. We have found it in ceiling texture in homes across the east side, North Las Vegas, and older Summerlin-adjacent neighborhoods.
Floor tiles, particularly the 9-inch vinyl floor tiles common in kitchens and bathrooms of homes from this era, frequently contain asbestos in the tile itself or in the adhesive mastic beneath it. Pipe insulation, especially on heating ducts and hot water pipes in older homes, was often wrapped with asbestos-containing material. Drywall joint compound used through the mid-1970s sometimes contained asbestos. So did some types of roof shingles, siding, and attic insulation.
Asbestos That Is Not Disturbed Is Generally Not an Immediate Risk
Asbestos becomes a health hazard when materials containing it are disturbed and fibers become airborne. Intact popcorn ceiling that is in good condition and will not be scraped or damaged does not present the same risk as the same material being sanded off before repainting. This is why the standard advice is to test before any renovation work that involves cutting, sanding, or demolishing materials that may contain asbestos.
If you are planning any renovation work on a pre-1980 Las Vegas home, asbestos testing before work begins is the right step. If you are buying or selling a pre-1980 home, read our FAQ on asbestos testing requirements before selling. Call (702) 442-1126 with any questions.