subject: How One Can Do Asbestos Removal Yourself [print this page] Removing or sealing asbestos without the assistance of a professional and experienced contractor can possibly cause undesirable issues and be costlier than you realize. Nevertheless, it's possible to carry out your own asbestos tile removal, electrical insulation removal, or different kinds of abatement with proper instruction. The principle objective when doing the work on your own should be to sustain the utmost level of safety at all times.
The first thing you need to do is determine if you in reality have asbestos-containing products in your house. It will involve taking samples from your home and having them tested. After you have verified that asbestos is there you may then start the removal process. Since asbestos materials are not dangerous until its tiny particles are discharged into the air, it's often advisable to leave them alone as a substitute for getting rid of them.
The abatement process is a tough job and if something goes wrong you won't be able to seek legal help as you would when hiring a certified asbestos abatement contractor. After considering the financial and health ramifications, should you still plan on going ahead with the procedure on your own, the first step is to flesh out an overall strategy.
After you've decided to do the work on your own it is advisable to get a copy of federal and state laws so that you can make certain you comply with all laws and regulations. Additionally, you will be required to obtain any needed permits. In addition to the paperwork you will receive directions on the best way to perform the job safely and the best way to properly eliminate the contaminated items. Studying all directions is extremely essential. It will show you how to be competent in removing or sealing the asbestos-containing products while keeping everyone protected.
The next step is to get a high quality breathing ventilation system for you. These are also referred to as breathing respirators. If there are other helpers in the abatement process every individual will need their own breathing respirator as well. Bear in mind that hiring different workers, apart from professional abatement contractors, is against the law. Protective clothes must also be bought and includes goggles, overalls, gloves, and boots. The protective clothes will be used for this job only and afterward thrown away.
Other needed equipment includes a hose and water sprayer, knife, pry bar, and dish washing detergent. All needed supplies must be on hand before starting the abatement procedure. In the event you have no idea where to buy this specific equipment you'll be able to check your local yellow pages or telephone book for organizations that sell protective clothes and gear in your city.
It is a lot easier job when you have at least one additional person working with you. This permits one person to remove the asbestos-containing materials while the other can keep it wet pending disposal. The primary rule when removing asbestos is to keep it wet at all times. If the particles are allowed to dry out they will easily become airborne. During the whole abatement procedure your aim should be to make sure that no particles become airborne where they can be inhaled.
You need to have containment bags that were specifically made to carry asbestos. Toxic materials must be scraped off surfaces straight into these special bags and then immediately sealed. As soon as they are given to another worker they must be resealed and then placed into storage bins which are also sealed. When disposing of asbestos debris you are required to clearly mark the storage bins. If they aren't marked they will not be accepted by the waste disposal site. It is crucial that you notify the landfill site before the abatement procedure is executed. Without notification they might not have enough space to accept your contaminated materials.
After all areas have had the offending materials completely removed they must be wetted down once again. For additional safety you will need to spray all areas with a sealant solution that can prevent potentially unsafe particles from ever getting out into the open air. This will encapsulate the particles, inhibiting them from causing health problems later on.
After removal is finished it is time for cleanup duties. Be sure that all places where work was done, whether finished or not, is thoroughly wetted down to keep any particles from becoming airborne. Employees must additionally wet themselves and their garments down thoroughly. You will first have to hose off every employee and then remove the protective clothes. The respirator should stay in place until all garments have been removed. This will prevent breathing free particles while the garments are being taken off.
Any free fibers within the work area must never be swept up or vacuumed, but wetted down and completely removed as explained previously. As soon as all work has been finished and all clothing has been taken off every employee must shower completely.
When all work has been completed it's best to take samples and get them inspected to make sure that all asbestos has been eliminated safely. At any time throughout the abatement procedure, if you have reason to believe that something was not completed appropriately, contact knowledgeable abatement service at once.
