Asbestos was commonly used in the construction industry throughout much of the 20th Century. It is still lurking in homes, and it poses a danger to you, your family and even your pets. It is hidden in textured ceilings, cladding, floor coverings and insulation. It should not be removed by homeowners unless you take extensive safety precautions to protect yourself. If you are willing to try removing the asbestos yourself, here are some steps you should follow.
Understand the Danger of Drifting Asbestos
The danger of asbestos is that the lightweight fibers drift in the air and then adhere to anything they land on. They will stick to your clothes, and once breathed in they are in your lungs forever. It’s vital that you prepare the area carefully ahead of time to prevent expanding the contamination. Keeping this simple information in mind will help you make the right removal choices.
Protect the Family and Pets
Before you start working, make sure your family and pets are safe. If you cannot trust the kids to stay out of the work area, then send them to a friend’s house for the day. Inhaled fibers can never be removed, so you cannot be too safe. Lock the animals in another room to protect them.
Protect Yourself
Invest in disposable overalls with hood and shoe coverings to cover your clothes. When you are done working, the clothes will be disposed of. Invest in a quality mask to keep fibers out of your lungs, and wear goggles to protect your eyes. The respirator you wear should be a P1-P2 type dust respirator for effective protection.
Encase the Surrounding Area in Plastic
Shut down the electricity to the affected room. If necessary, run an extension cord in with a work light to provide you with proper lighting. Line the floors, walls and fixtures around the asbestos with polyethylene film. Use a strong adhesive tape to secure the plastic. Electrical outlets and vents should be covered particularly well to prevent the fibers from drifting inside walls or your ventilation system. Seal off windows and doors with tape.
Water and Special Removal Bags
Use a low-pressure sprayer and gently wet the area to lower the dust levels in the worksite. The materials can then be removed and placed in special polyethylene bags. Bags must be marked with the warning, “Contains Asbestos Waste.” Only fill the bags half-way to avoid tearing.
The Final Cleanup
Vacuum away the remnants using a vacuum cleaner with a quality HEPA filter. The plastic liners should be rolled up carefully to keep the exposed side rolled to the inside. Dispose of them in the same bags as the asbestos materials. The protecting clothing can also go in the same bags.
This is one chore that should be handled with great care. Your safety is of the utmost importance, so you should take your time with the site preparation and removal. Avoid the use of power tools or any activity that will increase dust levels to protect yourself and your family. With caution and patience, you can safely remove asbestos.
Author Bio: Jennie is a formal general contractor and blogger hailing from the Western United States. As general contractors in Idaho and industrial contractors in North Dakota, she recommends MBA Construction for all your contracting, design-build and construction management projects.
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