Asbestos removals are tricky, as the dust can be nearly invisible, yet deadly if not taken care of in the proper fashion. Whenever an asbestos-containing material is disturbed, there is a huge risk of asbestos particles entering the air. Whether you choose to remove the asbestos yourself or have a professional company remove the asbestos, it’s always important to clean your home after removal has taken place.
Wear The Proper Gear
Whenever dealing with asbestos, the first rule is to remain safe. That means wearing the proper personal protective gear which should be covering your entire body. It is recommended to wear a full gown, safety goggles, gloves, and a respirator whenever dealing with asbestos to mitigate the risk of the fibers entering your lungs or getting stuck to your clothing.
In fact, most experts recommend disposing of anything worn during an asbestos clean up. This is due to the cleaning nature of asbestos fibers, as it’s nearly impossible to fully remove them from clothing.
Handling Guidelines
It’s important to ensure your safety both during and after the removal process. This means doing a thorough inspection of the home to see if there is any dust lingering around. During any asbestos abatement procedure, every piece of material should be safely removed from the home. This means no small remnants should be visible to you, even when searching for them.
You should thoroughly inspect your walls for dust. An asbestos abatement company should have been careful to seal off the entire area they were working in, but again, not all abatement companies are created the same and it’s ultimately up to you to check their work.
If you happen to find any spots that were missed or leftover remnants of the demolition, here’s how to safely remove the asbestos from your home.
Step 1)
With your proper PPE gear on, carefully wet the asbestos-containing material. This helps to clump the fibers together to make sure that more dust doesn’t enter the air when being disturbed.
Step 2)
Carefully place any of the remaining materials into a bag. Take that bag and place it into another bag. When the asbestos has been safely contained in two bags, place a clear label on the bag to ensure that it is not confused with anything else
Step 3)
Find a local landfill that specifically accepts asbestos-containing materials. This step is important as it is illegal to place asbestos in your garbage. It must be disposed of in the proper areas. Your city should have a designated area for any asbestos drop-offs, so it’s always a good bet to contact them.
Test For Asbestos
After an asbestos abatement, you should still conduct a second asbestos test to ensure that all of the asbestos has been properly removed. There’s nothing worse than a false sense of security that lets your guard down long enough for the fibers to enter your lungs and cause permanent damage. Not all companies treat asbestos the same way, so being 100% certain will always require a second test.
