Can I Renovate My Home if Asbestos is Present?
We commonly hear the question, “Can I renovate my home if asbestos is present?” and our answer is if the asbestos is undisturbed, then it has a relatively low risk of affecting occupants. However asbestos does become a big concern when renovations are done. If asbestos fibers are disturbed then it becomes airborne and the fibers can be ingested. If an asbestos-containing product is handled in any way that can crumble, becoming a health hazard.
If renovations are done safely and don’t disturb the asbestos, everyone can remain safe and unexposed. But it is important to do some planning and precautions before you start any demolition. Think about where asbestos could be hiding, and consider having the asbestos area sampled and possibly removed.
Where Can Asbestos Be Found
Asbestos was once used in roofing materials, thermal insulation, pipe insulation, flooring tiles, exterior siding, and more. If your home was built before 1980, be prepared to find asbestos in some of these places. You can never be too careful when it comes to asbestos, so it’s important to treat every space you come in contact with as if it has hazardous material.
If you do find asbestos in any spot throughout your home, consult with a professional asbestos abatement company to have an inspection or removal procedure done.
Inspecting & Removing Asbestos
Before you start any demolition or home renovations, you can sample the property for asbestos, just to be safe and aware of anything before you get further along in the project. However, we recommend having a professional asbestos testing and removal company collect the samples and have them inspected. Although you can do it yourself, with our at-home testing kit, it is a safer option to have a professional come in the proper gear and test the area.
If asbestos is found in your home, it’s important to have the fibers removed before any renovations are started. If you didn’t hire a professional for testing the possibly affected area, it’s crucial to hire a professional for the abatement and removal process. Having a professional team come in and remove the dangerous fibers will minimize the risk of exposure and allow your renovations to start safely, so you can give your home a new look. Asbestos abatement companies will also abide by the industry and government safety standards that are in place to keep everyone safe. A reputable remediation company will also have the proper certifications and permits in place before any work is started.
Safety Before Renovations
While it is possible to do home renovations with asbestos in the home, we don’t recommend it. Even if you plan on not disturbing the dangerous fibers, they can still crumble and disperse through the air. At Asbestos Project Management, we want to keep everyone safe and asbestos away. If you’re planning on doing any home renovations or improvements, and you want to schedule an asbestos test, our team can help.
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