Asbestos Removal 101

Asbestos Removal San Jose CA is basically a series of methods designed to prevent the release of asbestos fibres from asbestos-containing material. The use of asbestos materials in construction was banned in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom in the 1970s. This was done in an effort to lessen the risk of asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Since most buildings contain asbestos, it is important to know the best ways to remove this dangerous material. Methods include:

In the construction industry, asbestos removal is typically achieved by cutting down or completely removing the asbestos from a structure. Asbestosis is a long-term lung disease characterized by asbestosis, pleural plaques and peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestosis is the result of inhalation of asbestos fibers and/or their remains. Asbestosis leads to chronic coughing, emphysema (lung disease) and mesothelioma.

Asbestosis is generally the result of inhaling asbestos fibers. In order to identify if a building has been contaminated with asbestos, you can call your local asbestos abatement company and ask to have the structure tested for asbestos. If testing is positive, you need to request a sample of the suspected materials. Asbestosis testing is not free; usually you will need to pay a fee to the company handling the test. Also, be prepared to have the material analyzed from top to bottom, paying for the entire procedure.

If your building has been deemed uninhabitable due to asbestos exposure removal, the next step is finding a company that specializes in this service. There are a number of companies available that perform this service. However, not all of them are as highly regarded as the leading companies. You should choose a company that's certified by the ASHI (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning) or ASHI. They will be the most knowledgeable about the best asbestos removal techniques and products. A general contractor or an ASHI member can also offer other useful information about asbestos exposure removal, including:

Plastic sheeting. Once the asbestos removal team arrives, you'll need to remove any furniture, clothing and other items that may be contaminated. A good strategy is to place plastic sheeting over work areas to minimize the spread of airborne asbestos. Make sure the plastic sheeting doesn't allow dust to enter the work area. This won't only help reduce the potential for negative air pressure, it can also prevent injury to people working nearby.

Drying. The second phase of asbestos removal involves drying the materials that have been removed. You should consider enclosing the work area with a tarp or some other form of structure to protect materials from rain or snow. Remove access to the area, including utilities, electrical panels and any doors or windows that may have come in contact with the asbestos containing materials.

Containment. Once your asbestos removal crew has done its job and removed all contaminated materials, they will likely need to contain the site. Containment can be achieved in several ways, such as sealing off the interior of the space. It may also include sealing off the access points to the affected area, installing a solid material like Styrofoam to contain any broken or missing pieces of asbestos insulation. In the worst case scenario, a containment wall may be needed to completely seal off the area.

Demolition. The third step involves removing the asbestos-containing materials one by one. If the materials can't be moved, such as insulation or flue pipes, demolition will be required. You should contact a qualified demolition contractor to advise of the best approach for each piece.

With all the materials removed, you may need to consider another option for asbestos removal. Depending on the type of asbestos, you may need to consider negative air pressure, or ventilation, to safely remove the mineral from the home or office. A reputable ventilation contractor will be able to assist you with this. A proper ventilation system should keep the environment safe from the negative health effects of Asbestos.

As with most asbestos removal processes, it's best to hire a professional company with many years of experience removing Asbestos and other minerals containing materials. When you're considering using a non-reactive form of insulation in your older homes, you run the risk of exposing yourself and your family to Asbestos while you're installing it. This is particularly true with ceiling tiles, pipe covers and roofing materials such as tiles and roofs. While some older homes contained asbestos containing materials in the walls and attic, this was not always the case and is now widely considered unsafe.

If you decide that you want to use non-reactive insulation in your older homes, you should be aware that a great number of fibers are inhaled when they are cut. Therefore, you must make sure that the contractor you hire is using high-end HEPA filters to capture particles before they are disposed of. Additionally, you should ensure that the asbestos materials being removed are securely sealed in plastic sheeting prior to being removed. This will help prevent the Asbestos fibers from breaking down once they are removed. After the debris has been removed, it should be transported by trucks equipped with HEPA filters.