A Guide to Safe and Effective Asbestos Removal
If your building contains asbestos, renovations and demolitions can be potentially dangerous. This is because you or anyone involved in the work may come into contact with asbestos, a carcinogenic that can impact your health. Materials and structures containing asbestos can prove harmful if they are weak and easily crumble, releasing asbestos fibers in the air. Inhaling or accidentally ingesting asbestos fibers during the renovation poses a serious health risk.
Our asbestos removal team addresses the risk of hazardous exposure. After an evaluation of your site, we remove any asbestos-containing building material (ACBM), dispose of it safely, and clean up your site. The process steps are explained below. To learn more about our service or schedule your asbestos abatement project in St. Louis, St. Charles, or the surrounding areas, call us at (314) 865-2662 or request a free estimate online.
Steps of Professional Asbestos Removal
An industrial, commercial, or residential building may have different types of asbestos-containing material, including:
- Exterior surfaces: Walls, closed-deck undersheeting, siding and panels, window putty, and shingles
- Interior surfaces: Walls and ceilings
- Insulation: Loose fill, blown-in, and batt insulation
- Floor coverings: Sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, and tile adhesive
- Boilers, heaters, and piping
- Electrical equipment
- Oven and dishwasher units
Following a visual inspection, samples of the suspected material are collected for a laboratory analysis. After the samples have been confirmed as asbestos, we execute a plan that consists of preparing the site(s), removing the ACBM, cleaning up, and transporting the waste for disposal. The step by step asbestos removal process includes:
- Demarcating the area: Based on the plan, we will mark the hazardous area. Home/Building occupants will be informed to leave the area until the work is complete.
- Readying the work area: The HVAC system is disabled, air ducts are sealed, and areas not being treated are sealed off with plastic sheets.
- Removing ACBM: Our professionals use hand tools and chemicals to remove or repair the ACBM. They wear protective equipment and respirators to prevent exposure while doing their job comfortably. The ACBM is placed in waste disposable bags, sealed, and disposed using appropriate decontamination measures.
- High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuuming: Specialized vacuums are used to clean up asbestos-containing materials and surrounding surfaces. The change-out of vacuum bags is done carefully to prevent the release of asbestos fibers.
- Clearance testing: After the ACBM has been removed or repaired, and the materials and surfaces cleaned using HEPA vacuuming, clearing testing can be performed. Clearance testing is done by an asbestos consultant. It involves a visual inspection to confirm that the abatement is complete, and determining if the asbestos fibers meet the clearance criteria set by the Missouri Department of Public Health. If the air samples pass the clearance test, then the consultant submits a clearance letter. You receive copies of the inspection results and laboratory analysis.
Important Notes for Removing Asbestos Safely
Industrial asbestos removal can be a complex process, and thus must be performed by people that have sufficient practical training, knowledge, and experience to carry out the work safely. Your asbestos removal contractors should be EPA Certified and Bonded to ensure a safe and effective process. Strict processes and adherence to regulations are a part and parcel of professional removal or repair of ACBM.
Contact Us for Asbestos Removal in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Columbia, MO
At Advanced Environmental Services, our customer-first attitude makes us the go-to specialist for businesses and residents concerned with asbestos contamination in their home or business. Whether you are occupying new premises or embarking on renovations in St. Louis or the surrounding areas, we are happy to fill you in with more details about our asbestos abatement service and get started on your project right away.
