I totally get where you’re coming from—sometimes it feels like every old thing you dig up could be a hidden hazard. I’ve worked with clients who wanted to reuse old bricks or tiles they found on their property, and honestly, I always suggest at least a quick test if there’s any doubt. It’s not being paranoid, it’s just smart. Lead paint and asbestos aren’t things you want to mess with, even if the odds are low.
That said, I do think people can get a bit too spooked sometimes—like, not every old tile is a ticking time bomb. But yeah, peace of mind is worth the hassle of testing. And if it turns out safe, you get to enjoy the vintage look without any worries hanging over your head. Kind of the best of both worlds.
Lead paint and asbestos aren’t things you want to mess with, even if the odds are low.
That’s exactly how I see it—testing is just a small upfront cost compared to what you could be dealing with if something’s off. I get wanting to save money by reusing what you find, but peace of mind is worth a little extra. I’ve reused old bricks before, and a quick check made the whole project feel a lot less risky. Vintage look, no stress.
Yeah, I hear you on the peace of mind thing. I’ve seen folks get a little too excited about “free” materials they dig up, only to find out later there’s a reason some stuff got buried in the first place. Old bricks are usually a safe bet, but I’ve run into old pipes and tiles that turned out to be asbestos—total headache. Testing’s not just about safety, either. Sometimes you find out what you’ve got is actually worth something, or at least not junk.
I get wanting to save a buck, but honestly, the cost of a quick test is nothing compared to the hassle if you end up with a hazardous mess. Plus, if you’re doing any kind of permit work, inspectors are gonna want proof you checked. I’d rather spend a little up front than have to rip everything out later because someone spotted something sketchy. Vintage look’s great, but not if it comes with a side of lead dust...
That’s a good point about inspectors. I hadn’t even thought about the permit side until I started reading up on it—turns out, they’re pretty strict about documentation here. I found some old tiles under our yard and honestly, I was tempted to just toss them in the dumpster, but now I’m thinking it’s worth getting them checked first. The last thing I want is to redo work because of something like asbestos or lead. It’s wild how much old stuff can hide in the ground...
Honestly, you’re smart to pause before tossing those tiles. Old materials can be a goldmine—or a headache—depending on what’s in them. I’ve seen vintage tiles reused in creative ways too, if they’re safe. Testing is totally worth it for peace of mind.
