Asbestos removal:
During
the 1930's asbestos was discovered to be a great material to be used in
building homes, it’s fire resistant as well as sturdy and strong. It
was used on shingles extensively up until the 1970's when it was proven
to cause many diseases.
If
your home was built during this time, there is a chance that asbestos
may have been used, but just because asbestos exists in your home that
does not mean that there is risk of developing any of the diseases
related to it. It’s when the asbestos becomes damaged and the fibers are
released into the air that there is a health risk.
Of
course, most people who suspect they have asbestos in their home
probably want it removed right away, but now matter how much you want to
get rid of it, this is a job best left to professionals as the very act
of removing it can cause the fibers to become air born and put you and
your family at risk.
Today, there are many laws and regulations controlling the removal and disposal of asbestos.
First,
a professional should inspect your shingles - if they are still in good
condition the best course may be to just leave them as the fibers will
not be released and therefore, are not a health risk. However, if you do
have asbestos shingles and do decide to leave them it is very important
that you do not drill or cut into them in any way as doing so can
loosen the fibers.
If
the shingles are in bad condition, you have two options - either remove
them or repair them. In order to repair them, they must be
professionally enclosed so that they are no longer a danger. Removal
also requires a professional and disposal can be tricky as some places
do not allow disposal of asbestos waste.
As
you might imagine, disposing of asbestos can be quite expensive. First
of all there are many government regulations to be met. Then there is
the safety of those that are removing, gathering and transporting the
asbestos. To prevent inhalation of the fibers there must be protective
equipment as well as clothing. Care must be taken that no asbestos
fibers get into the environment while the removal is taking place. It is
a serious and costly undertaking.
These
days, most of the homes that used asbestos shingles have either been
resided or are gone forever so thankfully few people will have to deal
with this issue. If your home has asbestos shingles, your best bet is to
consult a professional. Look in the yellow pages for asbestos or
hazardous waste removal. It can be an expensive undertaking but well
worth your piece of mind.
Lee Dobbins writes for Home DIY 101 where you can learn more about home repair and home related issues.
