DIY Smoke and Water Damage Repair: A Damage Mediation Blog

Are you worried about asbestos contamination in your home? Asbestos fibres are known to cause chronic illnesses such as Mesothalamia and asbestosis. Below is a step by step guide on how to remove asbestos in your home. 

Friable asbestos can be crushed by the human hand or by a small amount of force. This type of asbestos can also crumble due to external forces. It can be found in batt insulation, ventilation ducts, hot water and electrical pipe insulations and mastic adhesives used in floors. Non-friable or bonded asbestos cannot be crushed. It is used in roofing shingles, walls and decorative coatings. Non-friable asbestos becomes friable when exposed to massive amounts of heat or pressurised water. It could also release its fibres when drilled or hit with a hammer during construction and renovation works. 

Some considerations to make during asbestos removal include: 

Inspection

Check the blueprints or construction plans of your home to identify areas that contain asbestos. Alternatively, you could purchase an asbestos testing kit and send samples to an accredited laboratory. Wear protective clothing as you take the samples. You could also hire an asbestos removalist to inspect the property for asbestos. 

Determine the Need For Removal

Old homes (those built during the '70s and '80s) may contain a significant amount of asbestos. As such, homeowners could opt to remove friable asbestos and leave bonded asbestos untouched. However, if you would want to renovate or demolish the property, you should remove all types of asbestos. 

Asbestos Removal

The Australian government allows you to remove 10 square meters of bonded asbestos. However, asbestos removal is a risky process that should be left to the professionals. Below are some safety precautions to observe during asbestos removal: 

• The removalist should determine an appropriate removal method. For instance, wet sprays are ideal when removing thin layers of asbestos. Water injection will complement wet spraying if the asbestos is too thick. Dry methods are suitable if there is a risk of electrocution.
• Fall protection systems are a must-have when working in high places. The removalist should be aware of heat stress when working in confined spaces.
• The removalist should use enclosures to control the release of asbestos fibres into the surroundings.
• The removalist should not break the asbestos. They should clean the area using an asbestos dry cleaner and conduct an air test to detect asbestos contamination. 

The removed asbestos should be transported or stored at a facility licenced to handle the asbestos waste. PPEs could either be disposed alongside the asbestos or cleaned at an appropriate dry cleaner.

For further details on friable asbestos removal, reach out to a local asbestos removalist.