Asbestos found a new home on the back burner of everyone’s minds thanks to an uptick of concern regarding respiratory illnesses and diseases. Mesothelioma did not disappear just because the focus shifted elsewhere. Living or working in a structure built with asbestos may result in long-term health complications, especially because asbestos exposure is a prevalent danger to society.
Unfortunately, many people remain completely unaware they are at risk, as exposure is often invisible. It’s essential to tackle asbestos in your home or business to avoid experiencing long-term health complications. We’ll explain the abatement process to get you started.
The Goal of Removing Asbestos
The primary objective for removing asbestos is reducing or eliminating the threat of exposure in a structure. Professionals with the right skills, tools, and training will enter the space, prepare it, and capture the asbestos. This process is known as asbestos abatement, but asbestos remediation is another term used interchangeably.
Depending on the severity and location of asbestos, encapsulation might be appropriate. Encapsulation requires trained professionals to close off the affected area(s) with a protective barrier before and during abatement. How do you know if you need asbestos abatement? Asbestos is rarely used in construction today—though you may still encounter its presence. Consult a professional if you’re cleaning up a structural disaster or your building went up between 1870 and 1990. This timeframe saw the most asbestos construction materials ever. A professional evaluation is worth the price, whether your structure was built or remodeled in this timeframe.
Pre-Process Evaluations
Before abatement, the professionals will visit the property of interest to complete an on-site evaluation. They will gain direct insight into the severity of the situation and collect information from the owners or residents to determine exposure.
Contractors are highly skilled and trained in their profession and manage a range of asbestos-related problems, so they have your best interest in mind. The contractors will remain transparent about their findings and walk you through the abatement process should one follow the evaluation. They will also explain how long the removal will take and how they intend to dispose of the toxic materials.
Quote for Services
The project demands and layout of your structure will play a significant role in the quote for services. Keep in mind that hiring an asbestos crew is not cheap, but avoiding contractors can put your health and safety in great danger.
Contractors can charge from $5 to $15 per square foot of removal area. The on-site evaluation will ensure the contractors give you an accurate quote for service and ensure you’re comfortable with the cost of abatement. Without the pre-process evaluation, you risk inaccurate prices and removal procedures.
Comprehensive Written Assessment
The written assessment is a vital part of the process, as it is the proof of service and leads to the entire plan for abatement. You should receive the written assessment after the contractors complete the thorough evaluation and before they return to the property for removal.
In the written assessment, you should find the quote for services, the contamination areas, the decontamination plan, the disposal procedures, the cleanup process, and your local and state laws regarding proper asbestos abatement. The hired contractor must adhere to federal regulations regarding removal and include these guidelines in their written assessment to maintain transparent communication with you.
Work Area Regulation
Before contractors begin containing the affected areas, they must wear protective clothing and gear to avoid exposure during removal. You can expect workers to wear disposable coveralls, a full-size headcover, and proper foot covers made of synthetic materials. Once the project is complete, the abatement contractors will dispose of their gear. These practices are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and OSHA requires proper worker safety and PPE. Depending on the task and the severity, workers may need to wear facial respirators, which have their own set of requirements for proper use.
Once workers fully clothe themselves with proper safety gear, they will contain the affected area(s), also called the containment area. It can include many features, such as air ducts, HVAC, floors, walls, ceilings, and doorways. The containment area will feature proper signage to warn all members of the commercial or residential structure that the area is hazardous and only permitted personnel may enter the space.
Proper Asbestos Abatement Process
The removal process will begin once the previous steps are complete. The workers will use special devices and equipment to capture the asbestos. The contaminated materials will go into disposal bags for post-removal cleanup procedures. They will be sealed and stored until the removal is complete. Often, contractors will use large dumpsters with protective linings to hold the waste bags. Then, they will arrange for the safe removal of the dumpster once the job is complete. It’s important to note that asbestos removal should not be a DIY project; always call the professionals!
Thorough Cleanup Procedures
Once all hazardous materials are removed from the site and disposed of, the workers will remove hazard-filled bags, workwear, and containment materials. They will arrange for the proper removal of the dumpster and offer re-entry procedures to people who use the space.
Contractors will also use a high-efficiency particulate air vacuum to remove dust or particles from the space that may have come loose during abatement. This will ensure all asbestos is gone and the structures are free of lingering particles. The workers may run an air sample to test the removal’s efficiency or suggest you hire a third-party company to run the sampling tests. The objective of air samples is to ensure airborne particles are below acceptable levels or at zero.
Abatement Follow-Up
The asbestos abatement process is complete when you receive a comprehensive follow-up in writing. This record will indicate all completed procedures and explain the process and any findings the contractors discovered. The follow-up is an opportunity to offer your feedback about the process and make a subsequent appointment if you feel one is necessary.
Redline Emergency Solutions offers comprehensive asbestos removal in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Our expert contractors can evaluate your commercial or residential property and complete the remediation immediately without impacting your daily life. Call our crew today to get started!
