The removal of asbestos will cause the release of harmful particles into the air. Therefore, if you are planning on eliminating this hazardous material before your home remodel, it is important to plan on managing the mineral fibres. In simple terms, you must ensure that the asbestos is not released and distributed to the surroundings. Here are fundamental tips for ensuring safety during the asbestos removal process.
Close the Space
You should limit the flow of the asbestos fibres to the affected zone only. The particles should not be allowed to spread throughout your house because this will make proper clean-up harder. As a result, there might be lingering asbestos which could be inhaled. You can achieve good results by closing off the spaces in which you plan to work. Consider purchasing thick sheeting made using a tough plastic for this task and seal gaps using tape.
Wet the Asbestos
Handling non-friable asbestos is quite easy because it is stable. This can be attributed to its combination with other materials such as cement and plaster. Unfortunately, this does not mean that the asbestos will not crumble. General wear can make the materials more susceptible to disintegration during removal. Therefore, it is advisable to spray some water on the material or otherwise wet it before proceeding to minimise the risk of breakdown.
Shut Down HVAC
When handling asbestos, you must keep in mind that the particles are small and airborne. Moreover, it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no fibres released during removal. Therefore, you should plan on shutting off your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system while working. This will prevent the distribution of the hazardous mineral through the ducting and subsequent compromise of your air quality. Also, there will be no lingering asbestos in the appliance if it is turned off.
Clean the Area
Thorough clean-up is essential after removing asbestos. Where possible, you should use a high-quality industrial vacuum with a high-efficiency filter capable of eliminating fibres. However, you can also handle cleaning by using a moist cloth to wipe the entire space which might have been affected by the hazardous material. When cleaning, you should be particularly clean on horizontal surfaces which could promote the settling of particles.
Removing asbestos for a home remodel is a dangerous and difficult process. Therefore, if you suspect that this material is in your building, you should plan for an inspection. If there are asbestos-containing elements, discuss the options for removal or management with your remodelling contractor.
For more information on asbestos, reach out to an asbestos removal contractor near you.
There are many reasons to remodel a home, but whether you are doing it to update the look or you are hoping to increase the future sales price of the property, the key to a great remodel is using a contractor.
Working with a remodeling contractor involves a need for clear communication, and these blog posts aim to educate you on all facets of remodeling. From asking the right questions of contractors at the quote stage through to determining the order of tasks performed, the more you know about the remodeling process, the better the experience will be. Be sure to read up on this process before you begin altering your home.