Should You Use An Experienced Asbestos Removal Company Or Do It Yourself?
If you plan on removing asbestos in your home without professional assistance you should be aware that this approach may result in undesirable complications. It may also end up being just as costly as hiring someone. However, it is possible to carry out your own asbestos tile removal, insulation removal, or other types of abatement with proper education. The main objective when carrying out the work on your own should be to sustain the maximum degree of safety at all times.
The very first thing you must do is resolve if you in fact have asbestos in your residence. This will involve taking samples from your home and getting them tested. Once you have verified that asbestos is there you may then begin the work. Since asbestos products usually are not dangerous unless its tiny particles are released into the air, it is often recommended to leave them untouched instead of getting rid of them.
The abatement process is a difficult job and if something goes wrong you will not be able to inquire about legal assistance as you would if you hired a licensed asbestos abatement service. After considering the financial and health ramifications, if you still want to go ahead with the process on your own, the first step is to develop an overall strategy.
Once you've decided to do the work on your own you should get hold of a photocopy of state and federal regulations so that you are able to make certain you comply with all regulations. You will also be required to obtain any mandatory permits. Along with the documents you'll receive directions on the best way to perform the removal safely and the best way to correctly get rid of the hazardous materials. Reading all directions is very essential. It will allow you to be efficient in removing or sealing the asbestos while keeping everyone protected.
The next step is to get a top quality breathing ventilation system for you. These are also referred to as breathing respirators. If there are others helping in the abatement process every individual person will need their very own breathing respirator as well. Be aware that hiring other workers, other than professional abatement contractors, is not legal. Protective clothes must also be bought and includes goggles, coveralls, boots, and gloves. The protective clothes shall be used for this job only and afterward thrown away.
Other crucial gear includes a water sprayer, hoses, knife, pry bar, and dish washing soap. All mandatory gear should be on hand before starting the abatement process. In the event you have no idea where to purchase this specific equipment you can check your yellow pages or telephone book for companies that sell protective clothes and equipment in your town.
It is a much simpler job if you have at least one additional helper working alongside you. This enables one person to scrape the asbestos-containing materials while the other is able to keep it wet pending disposal. The primary rule when removing asbestos is to keep it wet at all times. If the particles are allowed to dry up they will without difficulty become airborne. Throughout the whole abatement process your aim should be to ensure that no particles become airborne where they can be inhaled.
You should have bags that were specifically made to hold asbestos. Contaminated materials needs to be scraped off surfaces directly into these special bags and then immediately sealed. As soon as they are handed to another worker they need to be sealed again and then placed into storage bins that are also sealed. When disposing of asbestos debris you're required to label the storage bins. If they aren't labeled they will not be accepted by the landfill. It is crucial that you inform the dump site before the abatement process is performed. Without notification they might not have enough space to accept your toxic items.
As soon as all toxic materials have been removed areas should once again be wetted down. For further protection it is important to spray all areas with a sealant solution that will stop potentially toxic particles from ever becoming airborne. This will seal the particles, and keep them from causing health problems later on.
After removal is concluded it is time to clean up. Ensure that all areas where work was done, whether completed or not, is completely wetted down to keep any particles from getting into the air. Workers should also wet themselves and their protective clothing down completely. This is done by spraying off every employee and then taking off the garments. The respirator ought to remain in place until all clothing has been removed. This will prevent inhaling free fibers while the clothes are being taken off.
Never vacuum or sweep any free fibers and dust particles. They should be wetted and removed as previously explained. As soon as all work has been completed and all garments have been taken off every employee must shower or bathe thoroughly.
When all work has been done you must take samples and get them checked by a lab to ensure that all asbestos was removed safely. At any time throughout the abatement process, if you have reason to think that something was not done properly, contact an expert abatement contractor at once.
Source: Joshua A Harding
