Everyone in the world knows about how harmful Asbestos is to humans. It can cause life-threatening diseases to people who are not aware of the risk and come in direct contact with it. Asbestos is mostly found in construction material and is many times are used in ceilings. If you want to know if the ceiling of your house contains asbestos or not take the sample of the ceiling to a lab and get it checked.
Before the Removal:
Not all ceilings contain asbestos. If you are not sure take your ceiling sample to a lab. You might have a question on how do I remove a sample of the ceiling. You need to use a spray bottle that has water mixed with detergent. As shown on https://www.irwinasbestos.com.au/, Now you wet a small patch of the area on the ceiling thoroughly and scrape out the asbestos dust in a zip-lock plastic bag. You need to remember that asbestos is harmful only if the fibers are released in the air. If you think that the ceiling is in good condition you can just paint the ceiling and let it be left alone. However, you might face difficulty in removing asbestos in the future after the painting is done.
Caution
Removing asbestos can only be done by a certified asbestos abatement contractor or you can do your work on your own. No family members or friends can help legally. However, if they want to volunteer, they can do so but they can’t be paid for the services. The removal procedure guidelines are to help minimize the health risk associated with asbestos contamination.
Preparation
There are three basic rules for the removal of asbestos – Protection, Wetting & Containment.
- Protection: While you are removing the asbestos, you would need to protect yourself from inhaling asbestos by wearing a respirator, protective clothing, eye goggles, gloves, and rubber boots. Post signboard which warns your friends, family, and other visitors that you are dealing with removal of asbestos which may be harmful to them. Remove the house furniture, switch off the air conditioners, your light switched should be tapped and switched off. Check if the electrical power to the ceiling is switched off. Remove the alarms for the smoke and other gadgets attached to the ceiling. Cover the floor with plastic sheets. If possible, cover the containment area with plastic walls to separate it from the rest of the house and create a plastic doorway for entrance to the containment zone.
- Wetting: Even before removing the asbestos ceiling, you should make sure that the asbestos roof is wet thoroughly with water to keep asbestos fiber out of the air. If the material is not wet thoroughly apply water with detergent for better results. After the asbestos is removed you should make sure that the debris is sprayed with water and are kept wet all the time.
- Containment: After the wetting is done. You can know to climb up the plastic cushioned ladder. Now with the help of wallboard taping knives scape out the asbestos from the ceiling. Clean off the whole area after the completion of the removal of asbestos. You can dispose of your bagged asbestos at disposal sites for asbestos.