Is an Asbestos Removal Contractor Necessary?

Do you really need an asbestos removal contractor to remove the asbestos materials in your home? If you are planning to remodel your home, or repair or replace possible asbestos-containing products, it is important to first determine if asbestos is actually present. Whether or not you need to hire an asbestos removal contractor depends on this determination along with the condition of any asbestos present.

Hazardous asbestos fibers are microscopic in size and when disturbed can become airborne. Once airborne they can be deeply inhaled into the lungs where they will become permanently lodged. Over time this can cause the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis. Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that develops in the mesothelium which is a thin membrane covering the lungs, abdominal cavity, and other internal organs. Asbestosis is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease that results from long-term exposure to asbestos fibers and particles. An asbestos removal contractor is trained to remove or seal these toxic fibers.

During most of the 20th century asbestos was added to thousands of other materials to create products that were resistant to heat, fire, and even sound. It is commonly found in homes, schools, and office buildings as insulation, decorative and acoustic ceiling and wall plaster, ceiling and floor tiles, and many other products.

An Asbestos Removal Contractor Should Inspect Your Home First

Before beginning your home remodeling you should first have an inspector from a professional asbestos removal service inspect your home for possible asbestos products. If a potential culprit is found a sample can be taken by the asbestos removal contractor and analyzed in the lab. If it is verified that asbestos does exist in your home there will be three possible methods of handling the problem. It can be left alone, encapsulated, or removed altogether. Whether you need an asbestos removal contractor mostly depends on the condition of the material. A qualified asbestos removal contractor can give you more information about your options.

Asbestos is most likely to become airborne, and hence more hazardous, when it is exposed and friable. Friable means that the material has been deteriorating and is flaking or crumbling. If friable asbestos is in a room where people are often present, or where air moves through easily, it should be removed. When the material is in poor condition it is usually wise to hire an experienced and professional asbestos removal contractor to do the work.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) you should normally leave asbestos alone unless it is friable. If the asbestos-containing products are still in good condition they can frequently be sealed or encapsulated, either by you or by a professional asbestos removal contractor. The encapsulation process typically involves coating the asbestos with some type of heat-resistant sealant or paint that has been approved by the EPA. This procedure will seal the fibers and prevent them from becoming airborne.

An Asbestos Removal Contractor Can Encapsulate or Remove Toxic Materials

If your remodeling plan requires the complete removal of the hazardous products you can choose to remove the materials instead of encapsulating them. Removing the materials is most often the better plan because sealing is only a temporary fix and can be almost as expensive as removing the offending products. Additionally, encapsulating the materials can make it more difficult and expensive to remove them at a later time and will almost certainly require the help of a professional asbestos removal contractor.

In addition to encapsulating or removing contaminated products it is sometimes alright to leave them alone. For example, if your home contains pipes that have asbestos-containing insulation, you may be able to enclose them in walls or have boxes placed around them. As long as the hazardous fibers are prevented from becoming airborne there will be no immediate danger. And since an asbestos removal contractor will charge as much as $300 or $400 per hour it may save you a lot of money by enclosing certain materials instead of encapsulating or removing them.