What to do if asbestos is located?
If you have found asbestos in a location of your home, it is best to leave it undisturbed. Taking extra precautions are especially important if the area has been damaged and the asbestos has potentially already contaminated the area. If the asbestos looks like it has been sprayed on, do not try and alter the material. Sprayed on asbestos removal is best left to professionals with proper procedures for abatement. After the asbestos is located, there are two different options for removal. You can either remove the asbestos yourself (if it is enough to handle and you have done research on the process) or you can hire professionals to examine the area and remove the asbestos. If you are trying to abate the area on your own, it is important to be familiar with typical procedures and state regulations on asbestos removal. Failure to go by certain processes can cause more harm than good when trying to protect uncontaminated areas of the home and your family.
If you decide to hire a professional abatement company, there are certain things that should be taken into consideration. First, keep all individuals out of the area where asbestos can be potentially lurking until the area has been tested and sealed off. It is important to do research on different abatement companies in your area. Make sure the company has solid references for previous jobs that they have done. Also, it is important to keep a close relationship with the individuals who are removing the asbestos. Knowing what is happening step-by-step in the contaminated area of the home is a key factor. You also want to make sure that they have proper permits, training and equipment for safe asbestos removal. Be sure to find out their complete process of asbestos removal before you hire the company. It is also important for you to get samples before and after the abatement process.
The second option for asbestos removal is to do it yourself. This project can be quite complex, so be sure to do your research about safety issues and other regulations of asbestos removal. There are certain precautions that you must take. First and foremost, seal off the possibly contaminated area immediately. If possible, retain a sample and send it to the lab for proper evaluation. Make sure you have all the proper forms and policy procedures for your current area. Protective clothing is a must (goggles, outer ware that can be thrown away after use, and masks) as well as ventilation systems for clean breathing. When breaking apart material that contains asbestos, make sure you keep it wet. This is crucial to the abatement process because wet fibers are less likely to become airborne. Unless it is completely necessary, do not scrape, saw, drill or sand material that is anywhere near the contaminated area. Creating dust is one of the biggest threats for asbestos contamination. After the material has been confined and properly sealed in bags, it must be taken to a landfill that specializes in asbestos burial. Arrangements for this must be completed before the abatement process begins. The landfill must make sure that they can take in the amount of asbestos that you are bringing to them. Even though there are many other things to consider when doing abatement projects by yourself, the number one thing to remember is safety. The more knowledge you have about performing this process by yourself, the safer and more quickly it can take place. If in doubt at any point in the process, consult a professional abatement company as soon as possible.
