A Guide On Asbestos Removals
Most homes built before the asbestos ban will certainly have asbestos on the walls, floors, insulation or roof. If your home contains asbestos, you would want to get rid of the hazardous material. Below is an article with some asbestos removal tips.
DIY Asbestos Removal
There are two categories of asbestos: friable and non-friable. Friable asbestos is loose and quickly spreads its fibres. On the other hand, non-friable asbestos is compact. As such, it does not release its fibres unless you break it. In Australia, the law allows homeowners to remove ten square meters of non-friable asbestos from their homes. As a rule, you should not attempt asbestos removals if you do not have the skill to remove the materials and the required protective clothing. If you do so, you could contaminate your home with asbestos fibres, thus exposing your loved ones to asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Below are some safety tips to observe when conducting a DIY asbestos removal:
- Wear protective equipment, including a mask, goggles, gloves and overalls
- Seal the room to prevent the spread of asbestos fibres
- Wet the asbestos to contain any loose fibres
- Do not break the asbestos
- Put the asbestos in approved polythene bags and transport it to an approved landfill
Professional Asbestos Removal
Professional asbestos removal is the most suitable and stress-free method to get rid of asbestos in your home. When hiring an asbestos abatement company, assess their operations to determine whether they have the equipment and personnel required to remove the asbestos. Besides, the company's pricing should be within the market rates.
Once you hire the company, they will inspect your home and the construction plans to establish the type, location and volume of asbestos on the property. The company will advise how you should prepare for the abatement. For instance, you may need temporary accommodation if the house contains large volumes of asbestos. You may also have to inform neighbours of the abatement.
On the abatement day, the company will seal off the property to prevent unprotected people from accessing the premises. Once they remove the asbestos, they could either put the material in storage or take it to an approved landfill. The company will also clean the property using high-quality vacuum cleaners and cleaning agents to clean the property. Consequently, they will conduct an air test to ensure that the property does not have any asbestos contamination.
You now know how to remove asbestos from your home. You should always prioritise professional asbestos removal since licenced companies can remove all types of asbestos. Besides, you do not have to risk your life or that of your family members. Reach out to a professional who provides asbestos removal for more information.