In the past, asbestos was a popular material due to its strength and fire-resistant properties. However, it’s since been linked to serious health problems in humans, including cancer. This can sound scary, especially if you suspect you might have it in your home. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to have it removed safely and minimize the risk to you and your family’s health. Here are some do’s and don’ts if you suspect there’s asbestos in your house.
Don’ts
• Don’t touch it. Asbestos, when left undisturbed and unbroken, isn’t typically harmful. It only becomes a problem when it’s damaged and particles of it are released into the air. These particles, when inhaled, get stuck in your lungs and over time can lead to inflammation and scarring.
• Don’t try to remove it yourself. Removing asbestos requires meticulous care and must be done by a trained professional and with the proper safety equipment. By trying to deal with asbestos on your own, you’re putting the health of everyone in your home at risk.
• Don’t spend time in the area. Avoid doing activities in the affected area, and don’t allow children to play there.
• Don’t sweep or vacuum. Trying to vacuum or sweep the area will only spread the harmful fragments throughout the air even more.
Do’s
• Do look into asbestos testing. A professional will come to your home and look for visual signs of asbestos and take samples of potentially hazardous material to a lab for analysis. If asbestos is present, contact a removal company.
• Do consider where it may be hiding. If you have an older home, you may want to have a professional check your ductwork, wiring, crawlspace, furnace, insulation, roof shingles and plumbing for signs of asbestos.
• Do contact a professional asbestos abatement company. They have the expertise and equipment needed to remove it from your home in the safest and most efficient way possible. Again, do not try to remove asbestos yourself.
• Do have your air tested afterwards. After your home has been cleared of asbestos and all the remains have been cleaned up, get an air quality test. This will confirm that the air is clear and that your home is safe to live in.
Get an inspection
If you suspect there’s asbestos in your home, you can rely on BC Hazmat Inspections. We’ve built an excellent reputation for asbestos testing and removal in Surrey and throughout the Vancouver area. Contact us to have an analysis done on your home.
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