If you are one of many homeowners who have moved into an older home, it’s very very important to find out if there are areas of the house you live in using asbestos. Before its health hazards were identified, asbestos was used in roof shingles, floor and ceiling tiles, sidings, and in pipe and joint cement. Furthermore, boilers, ducting pipes, sheeting, and fireplace insulation contained asbestos too. Though banned in the late 70s, asbestos use in housing material persisted until the 1980s. Asbestos exposure can result in a chronic respiratory disease that can lead to cardiac failure.
If you had a good asbestos removal Victoria BC inspector look through your home before you bought it, you should have an idea of whether it has asbestos or not. If it does, here are some safety procedures that you should see a professional follow in dealing with asbestos removal:
- Isolates the affected area with plastic sheeting. This prevents asbestos particles that may become airborne during the removal process from migrating to other areas of the house.
- Shuts down airconditioning, heating, and other air circulation systems that may help spread asbestos fibers to other areas of the house.
- Posts clear signs of the removal process in progress, as well as erecting barriers to prevent unprotected persons from entering the work area.
- Using water to hose the area being removed. This helps prevent asbestos fibers from becoming airborne during the removal process.
- Uses appropriate hand tool and a HEPA vacuum to ensure that harmful asbestos fibers don’t get thrown around, or outside of, the removal area. Using power tools can promote the migration of harmful fibers to other areas of the house.
- Leaves the work area thoroughly cleaned, and if needed, applies a sealant to the affected area.
- Ensures that the removed asbestos is sealed in heavy duty plastic bags, with appropriate labeling and warning stickers.
On Vancouver Island, contact Pro Pacific Hazmat for all your asbestos removal needs.
