Asbestos is a natural substance that is used in the manufacture of building materials, paper, insulators, and much more due to heat-resistant properties. When you’re exposed to asbestos, you’re at a high risk of lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other health conditions. Therefore, it’s important to hire an asbestos removal specialist who can remove the asbestos from start to finish. Removing the asbestos yourself isn’t legal because it exposes you to the risk of asbestos-related problems.
How to Figure Out If You’ve Been Exposed to Asbestos
You need to look out for asbestos materials because there is a chance of you getting exposed to asbestos. Some of the methods of exposure are discussed below.
Insulation Replacement
Houses that were built before the 1950s are more likely to have insulation made of asbestos. After the 1950s, fibreglass insulation became popular, so original insulation may have asbestos insulation. Paint and joint compounds used on ceilings and walls may contain asbestos, so if they take down walls and remove ceiling texture, asbestos could be released into the air.
Vinyl Floor Tiles
From the 1920s to the 1960s, asbestos was used in the production of vinyl floor tiles. Removal of the tiles can release the asbestos fibres into the air. Instead, you can install new tiles on top of the old tiles to reduce the risk of asbestos emission.
Old Plumbing
Older homes may have pipes made up of asbestos insulation. If you replace the pipes, asbestos fibres may be released into the air.
Roof Shingles
Siding and roof shingles are made of asbestos, so removing them can expose you to asbestos fibres.
How to Remove Asbestos
Most house owners choose not to replace materials that have asbestos because removing them can put them at a greater risk. However, there are chances when asbestos removal in Perth is required. That’s when you should consider hiring an asbestos removal specialist who will perform certain steps.
Create a Safety Zone
Specialists will examine the areas that could be impacted before the removal. They will take steps to cover the areas and turn off the systems so that asbestos doesn’t travel to different areas. This includes disabling the HVAC systems, covering the surfaces in plastic, and sealing air ducts.
Protective Equipment
Workers will wear protective clothing and use air monitors to detect asbestos materials. Hand tools such as crowbars are used to safely remove the asbestos and discard them into waste bags. The waste bags will be sealed and safely disposed of.
Cleanup
Once the materials have been disposed of, the areas where abatement took place are cleaned with a vacuum using the HEPA filter to ensure that there is no presence of asbestos. However, in some cases, it’s not possible to remove asbestos. You can seal or enclose materials. For example, you can cover the water pipes made from asbestos insulation.
