The cost and hassle of asbestos removal may seem too unwieldy to confront at first, but the costs of not removing it as soon as possible could be far higher and extend beyond any mere hassle.

What Kind Of Asbestos Removal Services Do I Need?

You won’t know what kind of asbestos removal services you need until you first have an asbestos inspection of your home performed. That’s step one. Some asbestos companies provide all-in-one services, offering tests, inspections, and corrective solutions, while other asbestos professionals specialize in a particular area of asbestos abatement, and for all the other areas, provide referrals of appropriately qualified companies to utilize. Not all asbestos removal contractors are qualified for all types of asbestos removal jobs. In some instances, professional services beyond the scope of asbestos removal training may be called for, such as removal and replacement of plumbing, flooring, roofing, or siding.

The contractor conducting the inspection may or may not be the same one to perform the removal, and according to at least one government source, that may be for the better. Regarding all-in-one asbestos companies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns of a potential conflict of interest with a company recommending work they know they will be the ones paid to carry out. For this reason, it is wise to solicit aid first from a professional or company that specializes in asbestos consulting to inspect, test, and assess the home, and then employ a separate asbestos removal service or contractor to remove the asbestos material and dispose of it properly. Any asbestos consultant giving an assessment will be able to direct customers to the appropriate asbestos removal services and contractors that can help implement their recommendations.

Misleading Claims From Asbestos Removal Companies

One resistance some homeowners seem to have to seeking out the professional asbestos services they need comes from a preponderance of reports circulating in recent years about shady asbestos companies making false or misleading claims. While it is certainly true that these unfortunate types do exist, the solution is not to ignore an asbestos problem, or worse try to handle it yourself. The solution is to learn how to identify such so-called professionals and avoid their underhanded maneuvers.

One of the most common of these maneuvers, and therefore a big red flag, is if a consultant tells you that you need to replace all the asbestos material in the home. At that point it would be unwise not to seek out additional opinions. Because the truth is, not all asbestos material in a home is necessarily hazardous. There are many circumstances, in fact, in which it is perfectly fine, and even recommended, to leave asbestos material where it is. Unnecessary removal of materials can be a costly mistake. Thankfully it’s also easily avoided. As you would with a doctor before any major surgery, before you hire someone to come into your home and handle material as potentially hazardous as asbestos, get a second opinion.

If more than one asbestos consultant is giving you the same recommendations, then it’s a pretty safe bet those recommendations are the right and necessary solutions.

When Asbestos Must Be Removed

Asbestos materials that remain undisturbed and intact will pose no immediate hazard. It is only when the asbestos is rendered “friable” that it becomes considered a hazard. Asbestos becomes friable when the fibers are situated within an aged or damaged compound and so could possibly be released into the air. Friable asbestos materials must be removed and disposed of properly, in accordance with any applicable local and state regulations.

If it turns out the asbestos in your home is not yet hazardous, be sure to regularly monitor the material and the compound containing it, and take every precaution to avoid disturbing it.

Government Consumer Protections Against Unscrupulous Asbestos Practices

The federal government, through the EPA, holds asbestos removal training courses. Certain local and state governments require would-be asbestos professionals take government approved asbestos removal trainings or obtain certification before being allowed to take on asbestos removal jobs. Homeowners are advised to research the regulations that apply to their area through the regional office of the EPA covering their area and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Many government regulations regarding asbestos removal apply to public buildings or schools, not private homes. Never the less, homeowners should still expect asbestos removal companies they hire to adhere to those same professional standards and follow the same relevant procedures.

Finding A Good Asbestos Removal Service Or Contractor To Hire

When interviewing asbestos removal professionals to potentially hire, ask them to provide documentation of their state-approved or federal asbestos removal training and, if applicable, any accreditation, especially if it’s locally or state government mandated. All asbestos removal contractors and their employees who will be working on asbestos removal jobs should also be able to furnish this proof.

To find asbestos companies that already meet these qualifications, inquire of your local EPA regional office or the local or state health department. But even once contacting professionals referred from such sources, check their credentials the same. Evaluate all prospective asbestos companies for your job on the bases of experience, reputation, training, and accreditation.

Consider also that cost-estimates on asbestos removal can vary widely from company to company. There is no set standard for asbestos removal costs, making it all the more imperative to compare estimates from multiple providers in order to make an informed decision and avoid overpaying.

Considerations For A Professional Asbestos Inspection

The services an asbestos assessment consultant provides include:

• Conducting home inspections
• Taking samples of potentially contaminated material
• Assessing the condition of the home and suspect material
• Advising homeowners of the needed corrections

When you hire an asbestos assessment company, be certain the inspector visually examines the entire home and carefully collects samples for laboratory analysis. Should the inspector discover asbestos in the home, that information should be presented to you in a written evaluation that describes the exact location of the damage, and its extent. The evaluation should also state the inspector’s recommendations for correcting the problem, or preventing one before it starts.

A quality asbestos assessor will make recurring site visits to the home to ensure that the asbestos removal contractors hired follow all appropriate and necessary procedures. A quality assessor may also suggest and perform various checks following a completed correction to be certain the home has, in fact, been cleaned completely.

Considerations When Hiring Professional Asbestos Removal Services

Contact the local worker safety agency, air pollution control board, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) before you let any asbestos contractor work on your home. Be certain the company hasn’t received any safety violations or have any legal suits filed against it.

Don’t allow any asbestos removal work to begin until receiving a written contract detailing the work plan, applicable local, state, and federal regulations with which the contractor is required to comply, and a complete clean-up plan.

During the work, ensure all workers wear proper protective gear, including respirators and gloves. Be sure that no one tracks asbestos dust from one part of the house into the other, best avoided by sealing in plastic the area to be abated and marking it as hazardous. The contractor should use a wetting agent to keep the dust from circulating into the air and should not break up asbestos material removed into smaller pieces.

When the work is finished, get written confirmation from the contractor that all necessary tasks were completed properly and following all required procedures.

Asbestos abatement consultants and asbestos removal companies help homeowners protect themselves and those they love from a hazard that could be lurking within their own home.