Your Manual to Hiring an Asbestos Abatement Company

By Meg SchaeferHome Tips

When removing asbestos from any residential, commercial or public building, hiring an asbestos abatement company rather than doing it yourself is the wisest and safest decision.

Asbestos abatement companies will follow strict regulations, conduct thorough testing procedures, and use proper equipment to remove any asbestos found in buildings safely.

DANGERS OF ASBESTOS

How to Recognize the Hazards of Asbestos

While asbestos is dangerous because it’s a known carcinogen, inhaling or ingesting it can result in mesothelioma and other lung diseases. Although the United States is not banned, its use is limited. Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) still pose a risk to the public because they were common construction products in homes, schools, and other installations built before 1980—especially those that have not been adequately maintained.

An asbestos abatement project is one in which materials or products containing toxic asbestos are identified, removed, and repaired to eliminate the threat of exposure.

REASONS FOR TESTING

Reasons to Test Your Home for Asbestos

Before renovating or demolishing a building, it is important to consider the costs associated with asbestos exposure because such exposure can cause serious health problems.

While asbestos-containing products are normally safe when left controlled, they become brittle over time and can crumble. With the popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects rising, possible exposure to this long-known carcinogen is on the rise as well

  1. DIY Remodeling Projects
  2. Natural or Man-Made Disasters Impair a Building’s Structure
  3. If you live in a home constructed before 1980, there’s a chance it contains lead paint.
  4. A building contains asbestos-containing materials that are partially or completely crumbled, worn, or broken.

IMPORTANCE

What Are the Benefits of Asbestos Abatement?

Unregulated asbestos removal by untrained or unlicensed contractors can release toxic fibers into your air, endangering the lives of anyone who inhales them.

Fast Facts About Asbestos

  • Breathing in asbestos can lead to serious health issues, including asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), pleural plaques, and lung cancer.
  • About 3,000 people have been diagnosed annually with mesothelioma in the U.S. An estimated 10,000 people die annually from some asbestos-related disease.
  • Microscopic asbestos fibers are so thin that they can pass through a filter designed to keep out particles .03 microns thick.

What to Do if You Feel You Have Found Asbestos Contamination

  • Touching a suspicious substance is unwise; it’s best to contact an asbestos abatement company that deals with these situations.
  • Do’s
    • Keep children away from the area.
    • Stop all activities that might release or disturb asbestos fibers and have a licensed abatement company remove them.
  • Dont’s
    • Do not sweep or vacuum asbestos debris.
    • Leave suspicious materials where they are.

HIRING TIPS

Tips for Finding a Qualified Asbestos Abatement Company

  • Asbestos abatement companies offer various services, including environmental testing and remediation.
  • In the United States, asbestos abatement regulations vary by state and city. Some extend beyond federal laws that mandate Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) licensing.
  • Although a homeowner is not required to hire a licensed asbestos abatement company, it’s advice. Before hiring an asbestos removal team, verify its qualifications and find one that best suits your needs.

TYPES

The type of asbestos abatement method used.

  • Class I asbestos work: The asbestos removal, surfacing, and suspected-asbestos testing activities would involve the parties identified below.
  • Class II asbestos work: Non-friable materials can be removed from buildings using thorough vacuuming and wet scraping.
  • Class III asbestos work: A form of asbestos removal in which the material is disturbed during repair or maintenance work.

Workers are knowledgeable in the following:

  • Pre-abatement activities, such as work area preparation and establishing decontamination units to protect workers from asbestos fibers during abatement procedures, are considered prerequisites for safe material removal.

PROCESS

Asbestos Abatement Process

Abatement begins with sampling to determine the extent of asbestos contamination. The removal process includes site preparation and may be complex.

Site Preparations for Asbestos Removal

  • Work area established.
  • The HVAC system and electrical systems have been disabled.
  • Installed a new electrical system to power negative air pressure units that keep contaminants from entering the work area.
  • Seal openings in your home with plastic sheeting and duct tape.
  • Seal stationery items with plastic sheeting and duct tape to keep out moisture.
  • Cover the surface with plastic sheeting to lessen the infestation.
  • Place alert signals that read: Danger, Asbestos, Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard, Authorized Personnel Only, and Respirators/Protective Clothing Required in this Area.
  • Clean up using a HEPA vacuum.
  • Asbestos waste must be sealed in leak-proof containers while still wet, labeled clearly, and taken to landfills with strict requirements for securely storing the waste so that no fibers escape into the air.
  • Landfill-bound vehicles must comply with specific requirements and labeling instructions.

COMMON EQUIPMENT

Common Asbestos Removal Equipment

  • Hepa Vacuum
  • Respirator
  • Eyewear
  • Disposable Gloves
  • Disposable Coveralls
  • Rubber Boots

COSTS

Asbestos Abatement Costs

Federal regulations make asbestos abatement expensive and require certain safety measures during the process to be taken. Contact Asebestos.com to get all the information on costs and pricing.