Asbestos material is hazardous to health despite its extensive use before the seventies. In the past, ship-building, manufacturing, production of electrical appliances, and building constructions relied on asbestos because of its properties like thermal resistance and strength. Asbestos was popular material before the eighties because of its flexibility, water resistance, and wide-ranging applications in diverse industrial and construction sectors.
However, it is no longer the preferred choice, as the material is a proven health hazard. Inhalation of asbestos particles may cause cancer and other lung ailments. Multiple clinical reports highlighted the hazardous effects of asbestos material. These prompted the federal government to pass regulations restricting asbestos use.
Asbestos material’s presence
Several property owners are ignorant about the presence of asbestos material in the construction because these properties are older than four to five decades. Asbestos was an important construction material in old residential and commercial buildings. You may find asbestos in roofing, drywalls, electrical appliances, insulating materials, tiles, and walls of these buildings.
Damage to the asbestos material because of aging or remodeling leads to an asbestos release in the environment causing risk to the health of residents. Redevelopment projects and demolition activities cause the asbestos material to disintegrate. You cannot detect the presence of asbestos material unless you hire experienced asbestos removal contractors.
Need for an asbestos-free property
Reputed asbestos removal companies leverage advanced equipment to ensure an asbestos-free environment in residential and commercial properties. Removal of asbestos is crucial as the fine particles of asbestos stay in the air after disintegration. These pose grave risks to the health of residents and staff.
Despite its extensive popularity before the eighties, experts do not recommend its use because of its association with lung cancer. The presence of asbestos in the property may not be harmful unless you are disturbing the construction.
An intact sheet of asbestos may not be hazardous to the health. The material releases microfibers into the environment after disintegration. These fibers are not visible to the naked eye. One must avoid inhalation or prolonged exposure to asbestos particles to prevent its health-damaging effects.
Asbestos removal must be the priority if the construction is old and you are planning a remodeling project because of the possibility of breaking down the asbestos sheets. Asbestos detection and removal is a must before a remodeling project in several states.
Asbestos removal process
Asbestos testing and removal is an expert’s job, as you cannot rely on general contractors to provide satisfactory outcomes. Dedicated asbestos removal contractors employ certified technicians and use state-of-the-art equipment to detect and remove asbestos.
They follow stringent safety regulations and use approved safety gear like masks and safety helmets for protection from hazardous asbestos fibers. Some general contractors appoint sub-contractors for asbestos removal as it is a technology-intensive process requiring expert and experienced technicians.
Asbestos removal is a risky job, as it includes testing, removal, and disposal. One must ensure hiring a licensed contractor with vast experience in completing such projects. The asbestos removal process begins with a thorough site inspection. It involves careful use of testing equipment that helps detect the presence of asbestos fibers in the air.
Contractors providing asbestos removal processes follow regulatory procedures to remove asbestos from the walls, drywalls, ceilings, plumbing lines, and electrical appliances. They adopt a safe disposal process to remove asbestos and carry it to an appropriate location for permanent disposal.
The takeaway
Asbestos is a serious health hazard if it is present in the air. Are you planning kitchen or bathroom remodeling of your old property? Contacting trusted and certified asbestos removal contractors should be your priority to safeguard the health of residents. Complete asbestos removal and disposal is crucial to ensure an asbestos-free property. Look for experienced service providers to ensure flawless removal of harmful asbestos.