Asbestos Ceiling Removal
Asbestos poses hazards to humans depending on its area and method of application. It does not pose any medical issues when undisturbed, the problem begins to brew only when the asbestos sheets suffer from weathering of one form or another and begin to loosen out from their surface of construction. Weathered asbestos can remain near its area of installation perpetually. This means that the plumbers and electricians looking to drill pipes and conduits often find themselves exposed to the dangers of asbestos. Especially in areas where Flocking is being used, such dust exposure is more prominent.
Asbestos is versatile but hazard-prone
At home, asbestos is used on sidings, on ceilings and on floorings. Of course, it is used in a versatile way for different other areas like elevator brakes and fire curtains. However, despite its great virtues as a fire-resistant, acoustic and anti-rot material, asbestos must be disposed as soon as it begins to crumble. The strength with which you can argue for the benefits of intact asbestos weakens considerably when asbestos becomes friable. Especially over ceilings, such crumbling asbestos can drop off now and then and infiltrate the environment. Owing to these concerns, professional asbestos ceiling removal must be performed at any place where you find that the asbestos is giving away.
Safety of operation area is an imperative
For conducting asbestos ceiling removal, you must first look for creating a safe operation area. As a first, you should completely turn off your air conditioners and heaters. Second, you should make sure that any movable object placed under the ceiling is perfectly removed prior to the commencement of asbestos ceiling removal procedure. This is because such appliances and furniture may retain asbestos and further them towards the nearby environment on being moved later. It is also important to treat the fixed objects with polyethylene covers, sealed with duct tapes.
Precautions post operation
After you have ideally prepared the working area, it is important to drape yourself with disposable coveralls. Ideally, such attire should be a mix of polyester and cotton. Once you are done with asbestos ceiling removal, you must get your cloth vacuumed and packed off for industrial laundries. In the laundries, the contamination of such clothing is taken care of and you are provided a clean asbestos-free coverall for any future operation.
Wet Stripping is ideal
Asbestos ceiling removal can be performed with the help of a putty knife and a hammer. The ideal technique to perform it is Wet Stripping method. Such method ensures that amended water proposed to the crumbling asbestos makes the mineral fiber completely damp. Damp asbestos does not fly off the shelf as easily. Naturally, the chances of asbestos getting airborne are completely eliminated in such a case.
It is most essential to use specialized vacuum cleaners fitted with HEPA filters for performing asbestos ceiling removal. The simpler versions may not be able to gather all the asbestos and conversely, they might push off dangerous asbestos to the nearby area. If you feel that the material does not need being removed, you can try Enclosure or even complete Encapsulation of the mineral fiber.