If you suspect that your home has asbestos, it is normal to feel uneasy and anxious, especially if you are aware of the health risks associated with asbestos exposure. So, it is understandable that you may want to get rid of the asbestos-containing materials (ACM) immediately and safeguard the health of your family members. Unfortunately, asbestos removal is not your usual DIY job, such as painting the home or fixing a leaking faucet. There are a lot of risks associated with the removal, and failure to do it correctly can jeopardise your health. This article will teach you some of the things you should know about asbestos removal to help you understand why this job should be left to the experts.

Asbestos doesn't always have to be removed

Just because there are asbestos-containing materials in your home doesn't mean that you have to remove them. As long as asbestos has not been disturbed, the fibres are still intact, and they are not harmful to the environment. Therefore, you don't have to worry about them. However, if you carry out home renovations that disturb the materials, the fibres will be released into the air.

To know whether asbestos fibres are in the air, you need an expert to inspect the ACM. If the materials are intact, they can recommend that you don't disturb them in the meantime as they do not pose any inherent danger. However, if the materials are damaged, the inspector will recommend professional asbestos removal to avoid health complications.

PPE is necessary during removal

During asbestos removal, one needs to invest in personal protective equipment such as bodysuits, gloves and nose masks. That's because, if you go in without PPE, the fibres can get transferred onto your clothes or on your skin. You can easily inhale them and have respiratory complications. So, with PPE, you can protect yourself during the removal process. Afterward, the suit, gloves and masks should be wrapped in plastic paper, sealed correctly and disposed of together with the ACM to avoid exposure of the fibres to the environment.

Dust should be contained during removal

During asbestos removal, dust will fill the air if measures aren't taken to control it. As a result, the hazardous fibres will be released into the environment. To avoid this, dust control should be carried out during the project. It usually involves spraying plain water or a solution of water and polyvinyl acetate (PVA) on the asbestos-containing materials. The site should also be sealed with plastic to contain the particles and prevent them from becoming airborne.

As you can see, asbestos removal is not a simple project, and it is undoubtedly not for DIY homeowners. So, contact an expert for professional asbestos inspection and abatement.