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Paying an outside company to come to your home to test for asbestos can be a burden. Thankfully, there are several high-quality DIY asbestos test kits on the market to help homeowners gain critical insight into the health and safety of their homes.
To help you select the right kit, I tracked down and evaluated the best asbestos test kits on the market today. Below, you’ll find my top recommendations, answers to frequently asked questions about testing for asbestos, and resources that can help you safely clean up asbestos from your property.
Top 6 Asbestos Test Kits
- Best Kit Overall: Schneider Labs Asbestos Home Test Kit
- Best Starter Kit: Seeml Labs Asbestos Inspector in Box
- Fastest Test Results: Nirtue Labs Asbestos Test Kit
- Best Kit For Multiple Samples: ProLab Asbestos Test Kit
- Best All-Inclusive Asbestos Kit: LABPRO Asbestos Test Kit
- Best Protective Equipment: Asbestos-Sampling.com Asbestos Testing Kit
Compare Top Asbestos Test Kits
| Product | Test Count | Fees Covered | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schneider Labs Asbestos Home Test Kit | 1 | Lab and shipping | 5 days |
| Seeml Labs Asbestos Inspector in Box | 1 | Lab | 2-3 days |
| Nirtue Labs Asbestos Test Kit | 1 | Lab | 1 day |
| ProLab Asbestos Test Kit | 2 | Shipping | 1 week |
| LABPRO Asbestos Test Kit | 1 | Lab and shipping | 1 week |
| Asbestos-Sampling.com Asbestos Testing Kit | 1 | Lab and shipping | 1-3 days |
| Product | Test Count | Fees Covered | Processing Time |
Best Asbestos Test Kit Overall
Schneider Labs Asbestos Home Test Kit
- $35
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Sends results via a PDF attachment
✔ Covers shipping costs
✔ Comes with easy-to-understand directions
✘ Slower to produce results than other kits
✘ Can sometimes deliver false positives
What Customers Are Saying
Reviewers I found who were happy with this testing kit said that it was simple to use and reasonably priced without hidden fees. Unhappy customers said that the company’s website was difficult to navigate and that the kit sometimes delivered inaccurate results.
Best Starter Asbestos Kit
Seeml Labs Asbestos Inspector in Box
- $25
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ The samples are sent to an NVLP-accredited lab
✔ Provides you with a free detailed lab report
✔ Includes a protective mask
✘ Doesn’t include postage
✘ Shipping can take longer than expected
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews of this asbestos test kit pointed to its value, ease of use, and accuracy. Those who left negative reviews said that the shipping took too long and that the manufacturer’s customer service was lacking.
Fastest Asbestos Test Results
Nirtue Labs Asbestos Test Kit
- $39.55
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Available in other versions with different turnaround times
✔ Requires only one teaspoon for friable samples and one square inch for non-friable samples
✔ Comes with step-by-step instructions
✘ Doesn’t cover return shipping
✘ Only tells you if the results are positive or negative instead of giving you detailed data
What Customers Are Saying
I found that customers liked this testing kit’s quick turnaround time as well as its ability to test additional samples. Dissatisfied reviewers said that it sometimes arrived with missing items and that the instructions were confusing.
Best Asbestos Kit for Multiple Samples
ProLab Asbestos Testing Kit
- $8.49
- $9.95
- 15% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Returns results in five business days
✔ Has an app to register your samples
✔ Includes expedited service for real estate transactions
✘ Has an additional $40 cost for lab fees
✘ Doesn’t include a protective mask
What Customers Are Saying
Many reviewers I found liked this asbestos test kit because it was able to test multiple areas of their home, working especially well on popcorn ceilings. However, other customers said that the company’s website didn’t work properly and that the lab fees were hefty.
Best All-Inclusive Asbestos Testing Kit
LABPRO Asbestos Test Kit
- $32.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has an express service available
✔ Includes both text and email notifications for results
✔ Uses EPA-approved lab methods
✘ Sometimes delivers slower results than advertised
✘ Has a difficult-to-setup online registration
What Customers Are Saying
I noted that positive reviews said that this testing kit was cost-effective. Those who left negative reviews said that registering the kit online was challenging and that the results took longer to arrive than the company advertised.
Best Personal Protective Equipment
Asbestos-Sampling.com Testing Kit
- $59.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ The manufacturer offers an impressive one-business-day turnaround on samples
✔ A return envelope is included
✔ The certificate of results is emailed confidentially to the user
✘ Only includes one sample, but multiple sample quantities are offered
✘ Some customers didn’t receive lab results for multiple days
What Customers Are Saying
Overall, customers were happy with the turnaround time, accuracy, and ease of use this asbestos testing kit provided them. The included PPE also allowed customers test their home or office area with safety and confidence. Conversely, I found that some customers had to send two samples in order to receive results in a timely fashion, and some users received the results in the spam folder of their email inbox.
Buying Guide to Asbestos Test Kits
Although most take-home asbestos test kits work similarly, there are slight differences between them. This buying guide will explain these differences.
Asbestos Test Turnaround Time
While all asbestos kits test your samples and send results back to you, some are quicker than others. Most asbestos test kits take between a day and a week to send you results after the lab has received your samples. While most people can afford to wait a week for their results, that’s not the case for everyone. For example, if you’re looking to buy or sell a home, learning about the presence of asbestos as quickly as possible is paramount. You also may need faster results if you recently worked on a project in your home and fear you were exposed to asbestos.
Age of Home
Asbestos was a common material used to build homes between the late 1800s and the early 1980s. If your home was built during this time period, you may have a higher risk of asbestos exposure and should consider calling a testing company to have multiple areas of your home checked instead of using a take-home test.
Types of Asbestos Samples
Check the labels of asbestos kits to see what types of materials they’re able to test. Crumbly and solid materials usually work best, as they’re easy to send to the lab for testing. However, if you’re only able to obtain dust samples, make sure the lab affiliated with your testing kit will still be able to perform the test before purchasing the kit.
Additional Fees
There are two other fees associated with asbestos test kits—lab fees to have your samples tested and return shipping to have your samples sent to the lab for testing. Some kits cover one or both of these fees, while others cover neither. Coverage of these fees can affect the overall amount you’re paying to have your home tested.
Included PPE and Other Items
Some asbestos testing kit manufacturers include a pair of latex gloves, which is the bare minimum when it comes to providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for the user. Though you can acquire PPE separately from the test kit, it’s convenient to find a kit with goggles, gloves, a respirator or filtered mask, and coveralls, depending on the severity of your situation.
Ways To Protect Your Home from Asbestos
Asbestos test kits are excellent ways to determine if you have asbestos in your home, but you should also be taking preventative measures if you suspect it may be an issue. Here are some ways to ensure you’re keeping your home properly protected from asbestos.
Avoid Disturbing ACMs: If you have identified ACMs (asbestos-containing materials) in your home, it’s important to avoid disturbing them as much as possible. Asbestos fibers can become airborne when materials containing asbestos are damaged or deteriorated. Avoid drilling, cutting, sanding, or disturbing any suspect materials unless absolutely necessary.
Perform Regular Maintenance and Inspections: Regularly inspect and maintain your home to ensure that ACMs are intact and not damaged by using asbestos test kits or hiring a professional. Pay attention to areas where ACMs are commonly found, such as pipes, insulation, and flooring. If you notice any signs of deterioration or damage, contact a professional asbestos abatement company to assess the situation and provide guidance on proper remediation. Learn about how much asbestos abatement costs in our cost guide.
Ensure Proper Ventilation: Good ventilation can help reduce the concentration of asbestos fibers in the air. Ensure that your home has proper ventilation in areas where ACMs are present. Avoid using fans or air conditioning units that draw air from areas with potential ACMs, as it may spread fibers throughout the home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos Test Kits
How do asbestos testing kits work?
Using a DIY asbestos test kit involves a three-step process. First, collect material from your home that you suspect contains asbestos. From there, carefully package the material, and send it to the lab listed on your kit’s instructions. After testing is complete, the results will be sent to you via email, mail, or both.
Where are you most likely to find asbestos?
The first places to check for signs of asbestos are attics and basements, but it could be lingering anywhere in your home. Some other areas to investigate for asbestos include floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, ceiling tiles, sheet vinyl flooring, wall panels, roofing tiles, and pipe cement.
What safety precautions should I take when I’m using asbestos test kits?
Testing for asbestos can be dangerous if proper precautions aren’t taken. Choose the right safety gear, including disposable gloves, glasses, boot covers, and coveralls. Also, be sure to have a respirator equipped with a HEPA filter.
Are DIY asbestos test kits available?
DIY asbestos test kits are available online. However, for your safety and to ensure accurate test results, I recommend choosing a test kit from a trusted manufacturer that uses a testing lab to verify the results.
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