What You Need To Know About Asbestos Removal
Asbestos is a natural material that was commonly used in Australian building materials up to the late 80s. Asbestos is mainly found in fencing, textured paints, roofing, vinyl flooring, water pipes, and material on floor tiles. While asbestos is harmless if left undisturbed, if it is disturbed, it can release fibres in the air, which can be fatal. The best way to protect yourself from asbestos is by hiring an asbestos removal company. Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding asbestos.
How Can You Identify Asbestos?
Pure asbestos can be made into felt, paper, rope, or cloth. Asbestos materials are also mixed into paint, plastics, adhesives, and drywall compounds. It is difficult to determine whether a building material contains asbestos by just looking at it. An asbestos test performed by a certified professional is the best way of identifying asbestos.
Although asbestos cannot be seen with your naked eyes, there are signs that show the presence of asbestos. Popcorn ceilings and old flooring tiles arranged in a 9-inch by 9-inch pattern are also signs of asbestos. Pipes with grey or white insulation, especially around the fittings, are one sign of the presence of asbestos.
What Are the Steps for Asbestos Removal in Melbourne?
The steps involved in asbestos removal are assessment, removal, disposal, and post-removal inspection. During the assessment stage, the expert will take samples for laboratory analysis. The rest of the material may be sealed off using adhesive sealants. After the results are out, the expert will proceed with the removal.
During removal, plastic sheeting will be used to mark contaminated areas. A high-efficiency particulate air filter, or HEPA filter, will be used to eradicate airborne fibres. The expert will also spray amended water over materials containing asbestos to prevent the fibres from going airborne. The asbestos removal process starts when the expert and their team place the hazardous materials in layers of plastic bags.
The next phase of asbestos removal is disposal. The waste is labelled and disposed of. The materials end up in a disposal area or landfill. The experts will also clean up the removal site. All the surfaces will be wet-wiped, HEPA-filtered, and sprayed with an encapsulant to eradicate the asbestos fibres.
The final phase of asbestos removal is post-removal inspection. This stage is essential to ensure your home is entirely free from asbestos material. The post-removal assessment involves asbestos fibre air monitoring.
To learn more, contact an asbestos removal team.