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Older homes across Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Oak Harbor, and Anacortes carry a legacy of building materials that were perfectly legal and widely used at the time of construction, but are now known to pose serious health risks. Asbestos, lead-based paint, and mold are the three most common hidden hazards lurking in pre-1980 Pacific Northwest homes — and none of them are covered by a standard home inspection.

Asbestos abatement in Western Washington is not simply a good idea — in most cases, it is a legal requirement enforced by multiple regulatory bodies including the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA), the Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Understanding how this process works, what it costs, and what your obligations are as a property owner can protect your family's health, your investment, and your legal standing.

If your home was built or renovated before the 1990s and still contains original flooring — or if you have ever peeled back carpet or modern flooring and found old tile underneath — this post is for you. The question is not whether asbestos floor tiles and mastic look dangerous. The question is whether you know what you're dealing with before your next renovation project turns a manageable situation into a costly and health-threatening one.

This post will walk you through what asbestos is, why it ended up in roofing products, how to spot signs of potential risk, and what you should do next. We'll keep it simple and practical because this information could protect your family's health.

The honest answer is: you probably cannot tell on your own. But understanding the types of insulation that historically contained asbestos, where those materials were used, and what the warning signs look like will help you make an informed decision about when professional testing is warranted — and when to stop working and pick up the phone.

What many of those contractors and homeowners didn't know — and what many current homeowners still don't fully appreciate — is that a significant portion of that popcorn ceiling texture was formulated with asbestos fibers. And that fact raises an understandably pressing question for anyone living under one today: Is popcorn ceiling asbestos actually dangerous if it's not falling apart?

If you own an older home, there's a meaningful chance the siding on its exterior contains asbestos. For decades, asbestos cement siding — often called "transite" or sold under brand names like Certain-Teed, Eternit, and Superflex — was one of the most popular exterior cladding materials in America

Contractors have entered the structure. Debris has been moved. Fire-damaged materials have been disturbed without any knowledge of what they contained. By the time we arrive, the exposure risk that should have been managed at the front end has already occurred.

Asbestos can pose serious health risks when disturbed or improperly handled. In this short video, we cover the essentials: what asbestos is, where it's commonly found, the importance of safe removal by trained professionals, and your legal compliance obligations as a property owner or manager. Stay informed, stay safe.

That loose, pebble-like insulation in your Bellingham or Whatcom County attic could be Zonolite — and most of it is contaminated with asbestos from a single Montana mine. Here's how to identify it safely and what to do next.

Bellingham's mild, damp marine climate is a year-round invitation for mold. From crawlspaces in Edgemoor to bathrooms in Fairhaven rentals, here's why our homes are so vulnerable — and the practical fixes that actually work in Whatcom County.

Many homes across Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, and the rest of Whatcom and Skagit County still carry lead-based paint. If you have young children — or you're planning to remodel — here's what every Pacific Northwest homeowner should know.

Before any renovation or demolition that disturbs asbestos in Whatcom, Skagit, or Island County, you'll need to deal with the Northwest Clean Air Agency. Here's how the notification process actually works, what it costs, and how Bellingham homeowners stay compliant.

From historic Fairhaven craftsmans to mid-century ramblers in Sehome and Lake Whatcom, asbestos hides in materials Bellingham homeowners walk past every day. Here's where it lives, when it's dangerous, and how Whatcom County rules actually work.

Owner Corey Packwood joined Mary Kay Robinson on KGMI's Whatcom Report to talk about the asbestos, mold, and other hazards lurking in older Bellingham and Pacific Northwest homes — and what Whatcom County homeowners can do about them.