Asbestos could be all around us without us knowing
Although the production of asbestos has been illegal in the United States for over 40 years, asbestos can be found in many buildings today. It is important to find these cases and safely remove the asbestos in order to create a safe environment for property owners.
Asbestos became popular between the 1930's and 1970's as it was added to building materials. It was highly used due to its resistance to fire. It was used as an insulator in buildings as fire proofing material.
A lot of this asbestos could still be present. The problem is that hazardous asbestos particles are invisible to the human eye. This could become very dangerous if exposed, specially when performing renovations. It can be dangerous for the property owner and workers if present.
If asbestos material is broken or damaged, fibers can easily become airborne.
What to do if you suspect there is asbestos in your home?
Call a professional as as soon as possible
- Do not touch the material believed to be asbestos and try to avoid the area as the air might be contaminated.
- An inspector will perform a visual inspection to determine if further test should be performed.
- Lab technicians will gather samples from the infected area for test.
- If the test results come back positive for asbestos in the property, the inspector will suggest what the next steps will be.
- It will be determined if materials need to be removed or they could be encapsulated (coat materials with sealant)
- If the situation is too severe, materials will need to be removed
- A crew of certified professionals will come in get to work right away:
- All workers wear full-face mask respirators and coveralls
- All HVAC units are turned off and vents sealed
- Wet cleanup tools are used along with filter vacuums to make sure everything is clean and safe
- Removed materials are placed in leak tight containers and safely disposed
- After cleaning, an inspection is performed to make sure the materials have been cleaned and the air is clear of hazardous material
- If necessary, restoration and reconstruction begins