An Overview of Asbestos Handling and Removal
Asbestos is a major issue for many commercial buildings and homes in the United States. It’s important to invest in asbestos removal services at the first sign of asbestos. Asbestos can cause major health issues over time, so it’s important to avoid exposure at all costs. If you suspect your building has asbestos, be sure to contact an asbestos removal professional right away.
Read on for more information on the handling and removal of asbestos.
Signs of asbestos
Asbestos was once used in certain materials as a means of insulation. It features fibers that are resistant to heat and electricity. While many companies have made a good effort to remove asbestos from their buildings, it’s sometimes easy to miss. Asbestos exposure is especially prevalent in certain occupations, including firefighting, construction, mining and shipbuilding. It’s the number one cause of a cancer called mesothelioma, which is why it’s important to remove asbestos as soon as possible.
One should never go looking for asbestos, but there are certain symptoms to watch out for. If people in your building frequently experience shortness of breath, dry cough or chest pain, you could have an asbestos problem.
Materials that commonly contain asbestos
Commercial buildings and homes built before the 1980s could have asbestos. There are thousands of different products that used to contain asbestos, including caulking, ceiling tiles, siding, sheetrock, roof shingles and a variety of other building materials. If you own a structure built before the 1980s, it’s a good idea to have it checked for asbestos. Avoid checking for asbestos on your own, as it can be difficult and dangerous.
The importance of hiring a professional
Any amount of exposure to asbestos can be detrimental to your health. That’s why it’s never a good idea to try and remove asbestos on your own, even if you’re trying to save some money. Asbestos removal professionals are trained to remove it without risking exposure. You don’t want to risk your life or the lives of others just to save some money. Plus, professionals know how to remove all asbestos without missing anything.
Asbestos testing and removal
The asbestos testing process involves a licensed professional first performing a visual inspection. If they suspect a certain material contains asbestos, they will send it off to a lab. The lab will then determine whether the materials contain asbestos.
If asbestos is discovered in your structure, professionals may recommend completely removing or encapsulating the previously tested materials. During the encapsulation process, asbestos containing materials are coated with a sealant.
If the material requires removal, specialists will turn off all HVAC units and seal off the area. They will then clean the area using wet cleanup tools and HEPA filter vacuums. All asbestos-containing materials will then be placed in sealed containers and removed from the premises.
Don’t wait any longer
If you’re in need of asbestos removal services, contact the experts at Ahold of Mold Environmental. We can quickly and efficiently remove traces of asbestos without risking exposure to you, your loved ones or your employees. Let us come check your structure for signs of asbestos today.
Categorised in: Asbestos
