Asbestos is a well known danger to most people, especially homeowners. Most of us are aware that exposure to it is a bad thing, although we might not quite know the extent of how it can seriously impact our lung functions. Asbestos exposure can cause many long term health problems, possibly even leading to early death. Some of us may know that there’s a risk of asbestos in older homes, but most are unaware how old the home has to be to be at risk.
To get started on what you need to know about asbestos and to prevent your risk of exposure, there are a few basic things you can do.
Know where it is found
The first step to preventing asbestos exposure is knowing where the heck it is. You certainly can’t avoid asbestos if you don’t know where or when you’re at risk to be exposed or if you haven’t even thought about it.
Asbestos in the home is actually still way more common than you might think, despite the general public knowing about the risks of asbestos for quite some time now. This is mostly because the homes containing it were built long before the dangers were known.
If your home was built in the 1980’s or prior, there’s a good chance it was built with asbestos materials. The places you are most likely to find asbestos are frustratingly, all over your home. The cladding, shingles, baseboards, tiles and roofing materials all stand a good chance of containing asbestos. Since most of us can’t afford simply removing asbestos from our homes, or tearing down the home altogether and starting over, we need to be able to know how to live with it in our homes, without risking our health.
Seems terrifying, right? Asbestos is a potentially deadly, disease-causing substance, all over our homes, no big deal. While you should be cautious of asbestos, and it is actually a big deal, it’s not something you need to be afraid of unless you disturb it.
Asbestos- do not disturb
Asbestos will stay put, and not become a risk, as long as you leave it alone. Since asbestos is in the materials of your home, you’re mostly safe from it as long as you aren’t tearing down walls, tearing up floors or tiles, or tearing off shingles. Essentially, don’t tear anything apart and you’ll be just fine.
If you do decide that renovations are needed, please, for the love of asbestos, don’t do it on your own without some professional advice first. Even small projects, like replacing a floor, will require an asbestos assessment from a professional. If you’re thinking about renovating an old home, the next couple of tips are especially for you.
Call in the professionals
The best and safest option for asbestos solutions will always be to use professional asbestos removal experts. For all the do it yourself homeowners, this might sound frustrating and expensive, but because of the potential hazards and health risks, it is not something you should do on your own.
When looking for asbestos professionals, it’s imperative to find someone who is qualified and experienced. In New Zealand, check the asbestos removal register to see who is properly registered to perform the task. Never go for another cheaper, unregistered option. When it comes to dangerous materials that can put you and your family at risk, quality, thorough work always is vital over price.
If you do DIY, ensure you have the correct protective equipment
First and foremost, it is always recommended to hire a professional to remove asbestos. Not only is it highly dangerous, but there are strict guidelines and regulations that must be met. If you are a homeowner with plenty of renovation experience and are prepared to invest in the protection and disposal items, it is possible to try and do the job yourself. In this case, it is a priority to ensure you have the correct personal protective equipment for the job.
Gear for dealing with asbestos can be quite expensive. Because the main danger of asbestos is the damage to your lungs, having proper ventilation and respiratory protective equipment is extremely important and a mandatory purchase. Hiring a removal expert means that you wouldn’t have to fork out the cash to get the gear, so keep that in mind.
It’s also required that traces of asbestos won’t be taken out of the work area via your clothing or shoes. Keep boot covers and work clothing, wearing work overalls in the work site only. You’ll also want to make sure that any clothing items used to work with asbestos are either thrown away in a safe manner, or able to be washed.
Removing the affected materials can also be a big challenge. Dragging those asbestos shingles or tiling out the door and into the rubbish is not an option. Depending on your area, you’ll need to double bag contaminated materials and properly dispose of it using your city’s asbestos guidelines.
It is also advised to check if you need a license or special permit to deal with asbestos before you take on this task as well. For example, Australian law requires a license for certain types of materials or amounts of materials. Your country may have more strict rules for dealing with asbestos yourself, so make sure you’re abiding by the law.
Asbestos exposure isn’t something to take lightly. It’s a real, dangerous material and the risk of developing lung cancer or mesothelioma, or a myriad of other symptoms, from even a little bit of exposure is very possible. If you think your home may contain asbestos, avoid renovations and always, seek professional assistance.