All About Asbestos
When it comes to the detection and removal of asbestos, it’s imperative that you use a professional team. Asbestos removal is not your typical do-it-yourself project that can be tackled on your own. Today, we’re talking all about asbestos. What it is, how to test for it, and why you should hire a certified asbestos removal team to take care of the problem.
The Dangers of Asbestos
Asbestos is considered dangerous because it is a known carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos has been linked to asbestosis and mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer), as well as other health issues. Prior to the 1980s, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were commonly used in building construction. Because of its anti-flammable properties, asbestos was a popular insulator.
Asbestos abatement is the process of identifying, removing, and/or encapsulating ACMs to eliminate the threat of toxic asbestos fiber exposure. If your home or business was constructed before the 1980s, it’s important to have an asbestos test performed before you start any DIY construction projects.
Getting Your Building Tested for Asbestos
Structures should be tested for asbestos before construction to ensure that workers will be safe. Over time, ACM’s can become brittle and crumble. If this happens, asbestos fibers in the air can affect anyone who disturbs the asbestos-containing product. While they’re generally safe when left alone, the rise in do-it-yourself construction problems has increased the possibility of asbestos exposure for DIY-ers.
Contact a certified asbestos abatement company for testing. On top of determining if your home or business has asbestos, they can also give you a bid on the cost to remediate your building’s asbestos problem. Elite Restoration provides certified asbestos removal in Idaho. We also offer testing services to determine whether or not your building is an asbestos risk!
Why You Need Professional Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal should always be handled by a professional. It takes specific equipment and training to get it done right! The work area will need to be sealed off to prevent the asbestos from traveling elsewhere in the building. Often, this means tenting off entire rooms at a time. Professional asbestos removal teams will also be in personal protective equipment from head to toe. Respirators are important to prevent the inhalation of toxic asbestos fibers during the removal process. It’s important that anyone who will be in or near the removal site wear a respirator to prevent illness.
The asbestos removal process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The area will need thoroughly vacuumed to contain the fibers during the removal process. During and after the removal, the area will need thoroughly vacuumed to seal away loose asbestos fibers. On top of this, an air filter will need to be run while the area is sealed off to remove any fibers left in the air.
The asbestos removal process should not be taken lightly! Improper equipment and safety measures can have long term negative impacts on your health. If you need to schedule asbestos testing or asbestos removal in Southern Idaho, contact the team at Elite Restoration today!
Give us a call at 208-734-2135 or contact us online to get started.