Fillable checklist

Asbestos Inspection Checklist: Suspect Materials Walk (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable visual walk of common suspect ACM: pipe wrap, floor tile, popcorn, vermiculite, and cement board. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Inspections Fillable form · 8 sections · 44 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against EPA, CPSC, and InterNACHI SOP · Last verified Sep 16, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a visual owner walk of common suspect asbestos-containing materials in a US house: pipe wrap, floor tile, popcorn or texture, vermiculite, and cement board. It is not a licensed AHERA inspection and not laboratory clearance. Do not disturb materials to decide. Do not record a fiber-count Pass or Fail. Mark Intact if the material is present and looks undamaged. Mark Suspect if it looks worn, torn, crumbling, or water-damaged, or if you cannot tell without touching it. Mark N/A if that material or station is not in the house.

  • 8 sections
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Form details

Property

This is a visual template, not a licensed AHERA inspection, not laboratory clearance, and not a substitute for a home inspection. AHERA is a school rule. Federal law does not require accredited inspectors for detached single-family homes, but some states and cities do.

9 fields
Property

CPSC: until the 1970s many building products contained asbestos. Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation. Year is a clue, not a Pass/Fail. A later year does not prove the house is asbestos-free.

EPA: have a trained and accredited asbestos professional sample suspect material if it is damaged, or if you plan a renovation that would disturb it. Do not sample it yourself.

List rooms, basement or crawl, attic hatch, and exterior faces you actually saw. Do not open walls or unwrap insulation to look further.

EPA vermiculite: look without disturbing it. If you must enter, stay on floored areas, keep trips short, and do not walk the insulation. InterNACHI: a general home inspection is not required to determine asbestos.

Inspection station

Pipe wrap and thermal insulation

Look only. Do not unwrap, poke, or take a chip. EPA and CPSC: hot water and steam pipes, boilers, furnace ducts, and stove shields in older houses may contain asbestos. Mark N/A if that equipment is not in the house.

8 items
Pipe wrap and thermal insulation

Hot water or steam pipe wrap, blanket, or tape

CPSC and EPA: older pipes may be coated or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape. Mark Intact if wrap is present and looks undamaged. Mark Suspect if torn, crumbling, or water-stained. Mark N/A if no insulated pipes are visible.

Hot water or steam pipe wrap, blanket, or tape: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Pipe elbows, tees, and joints

Joints often have thicker mud or wrap than straight runs. Look from a few feet away. Do not squeeze the covering to test if it is friable. Mark N/A if joints are not visible.

Pipe elbows, tees, and joints: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Boiler or furnace insulation blanket or jacket

CPSC: steam pipes, boilers, and furnace ducts insulated with an asbestos blanket or paper tape may release fibers if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly. Mark N/A if there is no boiler or older furnace.

Boiler or furnace insulation blanket or jacket: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Furnace duct wrap or paper tape

Look at accessible supply or return trunks near the air handler. Do not peel tape. Mark N/A if ducts are uninsulated metal or later wrap you can identify as fiberglass with a label.

Furnace duct wrap or paper tape: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Furnace, wood stove, or coal stove door gasket

CPSC: worn door gaskets on furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves can release fibers during use. Look at the seal. Do not scrape it. Mark N/A if there is no stove or older furnace door.

Furnace, wood stove, or coal stove door gasket: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Cement sheet, millboard, or paper around a furnace or wood stove

EPA and CPSC: walls and floors around wood-burning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets. Cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling, or sawing those sheets can release fibers. Mark N/A if none are present.

Cement sheet, millboard, or paper around a furnace or wood stove: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Basement, crawl, or mechanical-closet pipes viewed without moving covers

Walk what you can see. Do not pull jackets, open walls, or move stored items onto the wrap. Mark N/A if the house has no under-floor or mechanical space.

Basement, crawl, or mechanical-closet pipes viewed without moving covers: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Wrap not in a hit, rub, vibration, or strong airflow path

EPA: damaged material is more likely to release fibers if it is hit, rubbed, handled, or exposed to extreme vibration or airflow. Mark Suspect if wrap sits where people bump it or a blower hits it. Mark N/A if no wrap is present.

Wrap not in a hit, rub, vibration, or strong airflow path: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Inspection station

Floor tile, sheet vinyl, and mastic

EPA and CPSC: vinyl floor tiles, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and adhesives may contain asbestos. Do not sand, scrape, or dry-strip them to decide. Mark N/A on a floor type the house does not have.

8 items
Floor tile, sheet vinyl, and mastic

Vinyl, asphalt, or rubber floor tile that may be old resilient tile

CPSC lists resilient floor tiles (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber). Size and look are clues only. You cannot tell asbestos by eye. Mark Intact if tile is present and looks solid. Mark N/A if there is no old tile.

Vinyl, asphalt, or rubber floor tile that may be old resilient tile: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Vinyl sheet flooring and its backing

EPA and CPSC: the backing on vinyl sheet flooring may contain asbestos. Look at edges that are already exposed. Do not lift or dry-scrape the sheet. Mark N/A if there is no sheet vinyl.

Vinyl sheet flooring and its backing: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Old floor adhesive or black mastic, already visible only

EPA lists adhesives used for installing floor tile. Record mastic only if it is already showing at a missing tile or an open edge. Do not scrape a sample. Mark N/A if no adhesive is in view.

Old floor adhesive or black mastic, already visible only: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Tile: no broken corners, loose pieces, or worn-through faces

CPSC: sanding tiles can release fibers. Broken or badly worn tile is the condition that matters on this walk. Mark Intact if faces look worn but still bonded. Mark Suspect if pieces are loose or crumbling. Mark N/A if there is no tile.

Tile: no broken corners, loose pieces, or worn-through faces: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Sheet vinyl: no torn backing or peeling edges already in view

CPSC: scraping or sanding the backing during removal can release fibers. Look at what is already loose. Do not pull more of the sheet up. Mark N/A if there is no sheet vinyl.

Sheet vinyl: no torn backing or peeling edges already in view: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

No DIY sanding, grinding, or leveling of old flooring

EPA: do not sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. Mark Intact if no one plans to sand it. Mark Suspect if a DIY sand or grind is planned. Mark N/A if there is no old resilient floor.

No DIY sanding, grinding, or leveling of old flooring: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

No power-strip or abrasive pad on old vinyl

EPA: do not use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring, and never use a power stripper on flooring that may contain asbestos. Mark Intact if wax work will be skipped or left to a pro. Mark N/A if there is no old vinyl.

No power-strip or abrasive pad on old vinyl: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

If the floor will be replaced, plan is to cover over it when possible

EPA: when asbestos flooring needs replacing, install new floor covering over it if possible. Mark Intact if the plan is to cover it. Mark Suspect if a DIY tear-out is planned. Mark N/A if no replacement is planned.

If the floor will be replaced, plan is to cover over it when possible: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Inspection station

Popcorn, texture, and joint compound

CPSC banned asbestos in consumer patching compounds in 1977 (16 CFR 1304). Textured paint and sprayed or troweled ceilings in older houses may still be suspect. Do not scrape a test patch. Mark N/A if that finish is not in the house.

7 items
Popcorn, texture, and joint compound

Sprayed or troweled textured (popcorn) ceiling

CPSC: soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings may contain asbestos. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers. Mark Intact if texture is present and looks bonded. Mark N/A if ceilings are smooth.

Sprayed or troweled textured (popcorn) ceiling: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Textured paint on walls or ceilings

EPA and CPSC: some textured paint sold before 1978 contained asbestos. Sanding or cutting that surface can release fibers. Mark N/A if walls and ceilings are flat paint only.

Textured paint on walls or ceilings: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Older patching or joint compound on wall and ceiling joints

CPSC 16 CFR 1304 banned consumer patching compounds with respirable free-form asbestos. The ban is not a lab result for what is already on the wall. Mark Intact if joints look sound. Mark N/A if you see only later, labeled compound.

Older patching or joint compound on wall and ceiling joints: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Texture: no loose, crumbly, or water-damaged areas

CPSC: loose, crumbly, or water-damaged sprayed material may release fibers. So will sanding, drilling, or scraping. Mark Suspect if you see sagging, powdering, or stain rings. Mark N/A if there is no texture.

Texture: no loose, crumbly, or water-damaged areas: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Water stains on textured ceilings, viewed only

EPA: look for water damage without touching the material. A stain is a reason to treat the texture as more likely to be disturbed later, not a fiber count. Mark N/A if there is no texture or no stain.

Water stains on textured ceilings, viewed only: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Older ceiling tiles

EPA lists ceiling tiles among building materials that may contain asbestos. Look at the face and any already-broken edges. Do not pop tiles out of the grid. Mark N/A if there are no ceiling tiles.

Older ceiling tiles: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

No DIY scraping, sanding, or drilling of texture or joints

EPA: do not saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in materials that may contain asbestos. Mark Intact if no one plans to skim, scrape, or cut the finish. Mark Suspect if a DIY popcorn scrape is planned. Mark N/A if there is no texture or old compound.

No DIY scraping, sanding, or drilling of texture or joints: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Inspection station

Vermiculite attic insulation

EPA: assume vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and do not disturb it. Libby, Montana ore was the source of over 70 percent of vermiculite sold in the United States from 1919 to 1990. Do not open walls to look. Mark the whole station N/A if the attic has no vermiculite and you did not open walls.

7 items
Vermiculite attic insulation

Pebble-like attic insulation, gray-brown or silver-gold, seen without raking it

EPA: vermiculite is a pebble-like pour-in product, usually gray-brown or silver-gold. Compare from the hatch. Do not scoop a handful. Mark Intact if it is present and looks undisturbed. Mark N/A if the attic has batts, blown cellulose, or foam only.

Pebble-like attic insulation, gray-brown or silver-gold, seen without raking it: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Bags, tags, or prints that say vermiculite or Zonolite, already in view

EPA: vermiculite from Libby was often sold as Zonolite. Record a label only if you can read it without digging. Mark N/A if no bag or print is visible.

Bags, tags, or prints that say vermiculite or Zonolite, already in view: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Vermiculite left in place, not bagged or shoveled

EPA: leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed. Do not attempt to remove it yourself. Mark Suspect if someone has been moving or bagging it. Mark N/A if no vermiculite is present.

Vermiculite left in place, not bagged or shoveled: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

No stored boxes or items that require walking the insulation

EPA: do not store boxes or other items in an attic that contains vermiculite if retrieving them will disturb the insulation. Mark Intact if the attic is empty or storage stays on flooring. Mark N/A if there is no vermiculite.

No stored boxes or items that require walking the insulation: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Children not using the attic as a play space

EPA: do not allow children to play in an attic with vermiculite insulation. Mark N/A if there is no vermiculite or no attic.

Children not using the attic as a play space: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Walls not opened to hunt for vermiculite

EPA: we do not recommend that you open your walls to check for vermiculite. Leave wall cavities closed on this walk. Mark Intact if walls stay closed. Mark Suspect if someone opened a cavity to look.

Walls not opened to hunt for vermiculite: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

If remodel will disturb it, a trained accredited contractor is planned

EPA: hire a professional asbestos contractor if you plan renovations that would disturb vermiculite. Use a contractor separate from any assessor. EPA also says attic testing can be expensive and may give erroneous results. Mark N/A if no vermiculite is present and no wall work is planned.

If remodel will disturb it, a trained accredited contractor is planned: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Inspection station

Cement board, siding, and roofing

EPA and CPSC: asbestos-cement roofing, shingles, siding, and cement sheets around stoves are common suspect products. They are not likely to release fibers unless sawed, drilled, or cut. Do not break a corner to test. Mark N/A if that product is not on the house.

7 items
Cement board, siding, and roofing

Cement or fiber-looking siding shingles

CPSC: some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement. Look is not a lab result. Mark Intact if shingles are present and look whole. Mark N/A if siding is wood, vinyl, brick, or later labeled fiber cement.

Cement or fiber-looking siding shingles: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Cement roofing shingles

EPA lists roofing shingles among materials that may contain asbestos. View from the ground or a window. Do not walk a brittle roof to chip a shingle. Mark N/A if the roof is asphalt, metal, tile, or another non-cement type.

Cement roofing shingles: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Cement board or transite-style panels

EPA lists asbestos cement products and cement sheets. Common spots: utility rooms, old soffits, and panels near heat. Do not snap a piece. Mark N/A if no cement panels are visible.

Cement board or transite-style panels: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Cement sheets at a wood stove or heater

EPA: walls and floors around wood-burning stoves may be protected with cement sheets. Same station as millboard on the pipe walk, but this line is the rigid board only. Mark N/A if there is no stove shield.

Cement sheets at a wood stove or heater: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Siding, roofing, or board: no already-broken, sawed, or drilled edges

CPSC: these products are not likely to release fibers unless sawed, drilled, or cut. Record damage you can see. Do not create a fresh edge. Mark N/A if no cement product is present.

Siding, roofing, or board: no already-broken, sawed, or drilled edges: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

No DIY sawing, drilling, or cutting of cement products

EPA: do not saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in materials that may contain asbestos. Mark Intact if no cutting is planned. Mark Suspect if a DIY cut, grind, or demo of cement board is planned. Mark N/A if no cement product is present.

No DIY sawing, drilling, or cutting of cement products: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Old cement water, drain, or flue pipe already visible

CPSC notes asbestos-cement pipe on some water systems. Record a pipe only if it is already exposed. Do not break it. Mark N/A if none is in view.

Old cement water, drain, or flue pipe already visible: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Inspection station

Access and do-not-disturb

EPA and CPSC: leave undamaged material alone. Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. Do not saw, sand, scrape, or drill it. This station is about how the house is being used, not a new material list.

7 items
Access and do-not-disturb

Walk stayed visual: no touching, scraping, or homeowner samples

EPA: taking samples yourself is not recommended. If done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Mark Intact if no one disturbed a material on this walk. Mark Suspect if someone already scraped or bagged a piece.

Walk stayed visual: no touching, scraping, or homeowner samples: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Damaged-material rooms: activity kept low and children kept out

EPA and CPSC: keep activities to a minimum in areas with damaged material that may contain asbestos, including limiting children's access. Mark N/A if you saw no damaged suspect material.

Damaged-material rooms: activity kept low and children kept out: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

No dry sweep, dusting, or household vacuum of suspect debris

EPA: do not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. A regular vacuum must never be used. Mark Intact if debris was left and a pro will clean it, or if there is no debris. Mark Suspect if someone already dry-swept or vacuumed it.

No dry sweep, dusting, or household vacuum of suspect debris: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Suspect debris not tracked through the house

EPA: do not track material that could contain asbestos through the house. If you cannot avoid walking through the area, have it cleaned with a wet mop. If the material is from a damaged area or a large area must be cleaned, call an asbestos professional.

Suspect debris not tracked through the house: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

If remodel or demolition will disturb suspect materials, an accredited inspector is planned

EPA: a trained and accredited professional should take samples and use a qualified laboratory. A hired inspector should do a complete visual exam plus laboratory analysis and a written evaluation. This form is not that inspection. Mark N/A if no disturbance is planned.

If remodel or demolition will disturb suspect materials, an accredited inspector is planned: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Any assessor and any repair or removal firm would be separate

EPA: avoid a conflict of interest. The professional hired to assess repair or removal should not be connected with the firm that does the work. Mark Intact if you plan two firms. Mark N/A if no professional work is planned.

Any assessor and any repair or removal firm would be separate: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

No homeowner air-meter or fiber-count Pass/Fail recorded

This walk has no fiber limit. AHERA clearance air numbers are a school-rule process, not a homeowner Pass/Fail. Mark Intact if you recorded only what you saw. Mark Suspect if someone is treating a gadget reading as clearance.

No homeowner air-meter or fiber-count Pass/Fail recorded: Intact, Suspect, or N/A

Form details

Findings and sign-off

List every Suspect line here. This worksheet is not a licensed AHERA inspection, not laboratory clearance, and not a home-inspection report. Do not write a fiber-count Pass or Fail.

5 fields
Findings and sign-off

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References

  1. Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos - US EPA
  2. How do I know if I have asbestos in my home - US EPA
  3. Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation - US EPA
  4. Learn About Asbestos - US EPA
  5. Asbestos and School Buildings (AHERA) - US EPA
  6. Asbestos in the Home - US CPSC
  7. Bans of consumer patching compounds and emberizing materials (16 CFR 1304 / 1305) - US CPSC
  8. International Standards of Practice for Performing a General Home Inspection - InterNACHI

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These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.