Asbestos is a serious health risk to you and anyone else in your house. This material was commonly used in building supplies in the 1960s and 1970s. Asbestos was banned in the 1980s due to the increased risk of cancer. The only way to effectively remove asbestos from your property is asbestos abatement, which should only be undertaken by professionals.

Selecting an asbestos abatement company is challenging. A sub-standard contractor will not only damage your home but also risk your health with careless work. You must work with experienced professionals that you can trust.

Here are three topics to discuss with an asbestos abatement company before you hire.

Set-Up Procedure

Preparation is vital in all home renovation projects, but this is particularly true for asbestos abatement. Any demolition work kicks up dust and debris, but in the case of asbestos, that dust is poisonous. A professional asbestos removal service will seal off the rooms where work is taking place to stop the dust from spreading into the rest of the house.

When a company provides an asbestos removal plan, they should explain their dust control measures. Is the space adequately sealed? Have any vents or openings been missed? Insufficient prep work means asbestos dust could spread all over your house.

Dust Control During Demolition

Demolition may sound easy or even fun, but asbestos abatement makes things complicated. Thoughtlessly cutting into walls and throwing asbestos tiles around creates extra dust and debris. This leads to a higher risk that dust will escape the enclosure.

Ask potential asbestos abatement companies about their dust control strategies. How will they reduce the dust created, and how will they limit the dust that spreads to the rest of the house?

One standard method is using a spray of water. When wet, asbestos dust will accumulate into a droplet. This falls out of the air, reducing the amount of breathable dust. Another strategy is operating under negative pressure – this is done by sealing the room, then pumping air outside through a specialized fan. Again, this reduces the dust in the air and decreases the chance dust will enter the rest of the house.

Tear Down and Disposal

Clean-up and disposal are critical aspects of asbestos abatement. Every project generates a ton of dust and debris, which needs to be addressed before you can re-inhabit the space. Otherwise, asbestos fibers will linger, leading to health problems.

The space where the demolition took place must be cleaned by professionals using specialized equipment. All scrap and debris need to be professionally handled and disposed of according to health and safety guidelines. As a property owner, you do not want to be responsible for managing this waste, so ensure you work with a company that will take full responsibility for clean-up and disposal.

Successful Asbestos Abatement

Successful asbestos abatement is hard work, but it is worth putting in the effort to get the job done right. No one wants hazardous dust left all over their house! Take this project seriously, and your property will be totally asbestos-free with the help of talented professionals.