Why It Might be Worthwhile to Consider Asbestos Removal?

Removing asbestos from an old building is a big project. Usually, the asbestos itself is not really an issue until the building starts to age. When pipes need to be repaired, or drywall needs attention, the asbestos contained within gets disrupted. Once this happens, the building is no longer safe to occupy. Unfortunately, there are millions of old buildings around North America where the asbestos never gets removed. Part of this is about economics; if there is a building that is 40 years old, the number of additional years that the building will be used will not generate enough revenue to offset the cost of the removal. There are many asbestos removal companies that deliver this service with such a high level of efficiency that some removal jobs are now more economical than they were previously.

Weighing the benefits

In cities that have seen sustained housing booms like San Francisco or Seattle, for example, there are lots of opportunities to make a profit by buying an older home that is in need of repair and then doing some upgrades. Many are worth considering, especially those that can improve the efficiency of the home. Suppose you wanted to insulate the attic to mitigate energy loss. Most of the time it is not worthwhile to simply insulate the attic, because the true problem lies in the fact that air is escaping from the ceiling. What is actually needed is to find the holes in the ceiling and patch them up. Many homes built in the late 1970s or before were outfitted with asbestos-based ceilings. It is not uncommon for an entire ceiling to need replacement in these homes. This is a big job because you will need asbestos removal companies to remove the material safely and dispose of it before a new one can be constructed.

Most of the time there is more to be done. Typically, if the home has an asbestos-based ceiling, there is often drywall that contains asbestos too. This presents an even bigger problem because things like pipes and electrical need to be serviced. When something goes wrong, it will be unsafe for the plumber or electrician to cut into the drywall because the asbestos is disturbed when this happens. Quality asbestos removal companies will test the air for asbestos to determine the severity of the problem. If there are higher concentrations of asbestos in the air, it means that something must be done immediately. If the readings are more moderate, you might get away with only needing to replace drywall that is surrounding common problem areas as they come up. If the plumbing and electrical in the home is well done, it might only be a matter of one or two areas that need work.

The process

All projects will require a means of sealing off the space. This is very important, because it is the main line of defence for preserving air quality. Usually, crews will be equipped with personal protective equipment. For a bigger asbestos job there will often be one person testing the quality of the air on the inside and outside of the sealed zone, to ensure that there is no defect or failure with the containment. After it is removed and taken away for disposal, there will be subsequent tests of the air quality. This will help the crew to determine if they have caught everything – sometimes there can be asbestos in flooring, for example. If it was missed initially, the tests near the end of the job will often catch it. This is the main failsafe for most asbestos removal companies.

When choosing the right contractor, it is essential to use one that adheres to all OHAS protocols and best practices. Some abatement criteria vary by region, so it is important to do the research before spending the money. Dealing with asbestos removal companies is a big part of upgrading existing homes. Given that it can extend the life of a structure by several decades, spending the money to do it right is a good idea.