One of the biggest trends in the last ten years has been the emergence of a large home renovation market. Popular television shows have made renovating houses and selling for a profit look so easy. The problem is that these shows fail to properly cover the risks and precautions that need to take place when dealing with older homes.

Asbestos has been a part of the building industry for a very long time and even throughout the 1990′s the product was being used in new buildings. Asbestos is a toxic fibrous material used in building products as a fire retardant. These fibres have been known to cause several deadly and painful diseases depending on the amount and type of you are exposed to. These include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Usually the products that contain the offending product don’t cause a problem for the general public as they are not friable. It is when they break up that the tiny fibres are released into the air and cause the potential of being en-haled.

Asbestos ceiling tiles cause a particular problem for home renovators and builders as the tiles are usually very easy to break. Moving the around even to just get access to the ceiling cavity causes the possibility of the tile to break. There is no way of knowing if the tiles on your ceiling contain the substance either. They look just like regular ceiling tiles. The tiles were commonly used before the 1970′s so if your building is older than that you might be at risk.

Due to this high risk of exposure it is highly recommend that if it is necessary to remove them, get a qualified contractor in to remove your asbestos ceiling tiles. If you aren’t sure whether the do contain the deadly substance then have a look for a test kit and let an expert decide before you make any drastic movements to the tiles. It is better to be safe then sorry.

Next week I will post the details on how to remove them for those who must try it themselves (at their own risk).

So, if your asbestos shingles are in good condition, do nothing. If they are in poor condition and can’t easily be repaired you may have to consider their removal. It is recommended you seek the help of a professional asbestos removal specialist to minimise the risk of airborne asbestos fibres being released and breathed in by you and your family. However, if you wish to do the job yourself, here’s what you need to do.

1. Buy the necessary safety gear and get put it on. You’ll need an approved respirator, coveralls, gloves a hat and goggles. You can buy all this from a safety work wear store.

2. Lay thick plastic sheeting immediately beneath the area you will be working on and secure it with strong adhesive tape. This will ensure you catch any debris that falls to the ground as you’re working.

3. If necessary, remove any baseboards or trim. You will need to be very careful when doing this and be sure not to use power tools to aid in removal. Power tools are more likely to disturb the surface of the material than hand tools, meaning a greater risk of airborne asbestos fibres.

4. Move to the top row of the asbestos shingles and work your way down. Dampen the areas as you work with a light mist spray and be careful not to break the shingles – if possible take them off in whole pieces.

5. Place each shingle in a plastic container that has been lined with thick plastic sheeting. Leave enough overhang so that you can wrap the top of the shingles when you have finished. Dampen the shingles in the container every so often to minimise the potential for asbestos fibres to escape. Be sure you carefully place each shingle in the container. Try not to drop the shingles or rub them over one another to minimise damage.

6. Once you have filled the container give the shingles a final mist then close it up and secure with strong adhesive tape. Mark the container as containing asbestos material.

7. Dampen the plastic worksheet you placed immediately beneath the area you were working on. Roll it up and place in a container as above, marked as containing asbestos material.

8. Call your local authorities to find the nearest landfill that will accept asbestos waste. They will give you all the information you need.

For further information on asbestos shingles and its removal visit our website at http://www.removing-asbestos.com.

If you live in the Britain, there’s a great resource available that lists asbestos removal UK companies. It’s called The Free Index and can be found at http://www.freeindex.co.uk/categories/property/construction/asbestos_removal/.

The Free Index is a directory of businesses in the UK, and it has a specific section for asbestos removal companies. The way the index works is that businesses are reviewed by their customers, and the businesses with the most positive reviews feature at the top of the listings.

Using the search tools near the top of the screen, you can filter down on the list by typing in your location so that only companies that service your town are listed.

At the moment, the top three asbestos removal companies in the UK according to the site and customer reviews are:-

- CNM Training Solutions Ltd
- A1 Rubbish Clearance
- Maylarch Environment Limited

Check out their website for further information, and a detailed list of asbestos removal companies in your area (in the UK).

In the meantime, if you’re looking for do-it-yourself test kits or more information about asbestos removal UK then visit our main site at http://www.removing-asbestos.com.

Each kit provider will have procedures in place to correctly and safely gather samples. At a minimum, anybody sampling materials potentially containing asbestos should observe the following:-

• Shut down any ventilation systems, air conditioning and heating ducts to minimise the potential spread of asbestos fibres.

• Make sure nobody is in the room or enters the room until sampling and cleanup is complete.

• Wear disposable gloves.

• Place a thick plastic sheet on the floor immediately below the area you are sampling. Secure with strong adhesive tape.

• Dampen the material to be sampled using a fine mist of water that contains a couple of drops of detergent. This will help reduce the risk of asbestos fibres becoming airborne.

• Cut a small piece of the material right through.

• Place sample in a high-quality plastic container or bag and seal tightly.

• Label the container as holding asbestos material and write down where the sample was taken.

• Patch the sampled area with caulk, duct tape, or PVC glue to prevent the release of asbestos fibres in the future.

• Dampen the plastic sheet and dispose.

The company from which you bought the sampling kit will give instructions on where to send the sample and how long it will take to receive a result. If possible, we recommend asking the company whether they can send somebody qualified to do the sample to minimise the potential risks to you and your family.

More information on asbestos sampling and other related information can be found at http://www.removing-asbestos.com

You can purchase a quality asbestos test kit from our site in the coming weeks.

To ensure this work is done properly, it is recommended that you consider hiring asbestos consultants. These guys perform site audits to identify the location, extent, accessibility, type and condition of hazardous substances like asbestos. As part of the service, good asbestos consultants include the location and quantity of each substance, methods for monitoring the substance and methods of removal, handling, storage and disposal.

A good consultant will also carry out clearance inspections at the end of the demolition or
removal work.

Ideally, asbestos consultants should be hired independently of any asbestos removal contractors to ensure there is no conflict of interest or bias in the audit and subsequent reports.

In choosing asbestos consultants it is recommended they have a strong background in:-

- Building architecture and construction
- Mechanical systems layout and operation
- Knowledge of historical use and locations of asbestos
- Abatement options and techniques
- Sample testing and results interpretation
- Occupations health and safety and hygiene
- Asbestos clearance criteria
- Understanding of asbestos related diseases
- Knowledge of relevant codes and practice standards

If you intend to use the consultant to supervise any removal works, it is also important they show solid experience in project management, particularly in relation to asbestos removal.

If you are looking for quality asbestos consultants in your area contact your local authorities for some suggestions. Otherwise look in the Yellow Pages and ask for references from previous clients.

There are not a lot of asbestos test kits on the market and the main reason for this is to leave this hazardous task to experts in the field.  There is one popular testing kit available at Amazon.com from PRO-LAB.  It is only $12.99 and will provide a result utilizing Polarized Light Microscopy within 2 weeks.  This kit can identify asbestos fibres to as little as 1% content by weight and are more sensitive than EPA guidelines require.

You can find out more information about the test kit by clicking here.

Asbestos Test Kit in Australia

This looks like a variation of the above kit from Amazon.com but perfect for those in Australia looking for a quick answer to whether their home contains Asbestos.

This kit contains all the necessary equipment to safely sample and formally identify suspect asbestos materials around the home or work place. Includes forwarding of a certificate of analysis from a NATA Accredited Laboratory.

You can find more information about this kit as well as a lot of other Asbestos information at Australian Asbestos Removal Services 

Mail-in Asbestos Test Kits

Even though the above kit will do the job, it is still strongly recommended that you use a professional laboratory to conduct the testing – even if you collect the sample yourself. 

Companies such as Pro House Dr provide collection kits that you use to safely send your suspected asbestos sample back to their EPA approved laboratory.  They will send back a thorough analysis as well as advice on how to deal with the Asbestos to reduce your risk of exposure.  This process is more expensive than the PRO-LAB’s Asbestos Test Kit listed above but does provide piece of mind.

Generally, artex has been free of asbestos for around 20 years now so if you’ve got a newish home then you’re in the clear. However, if you’re uncertain it’s best to get it checked out by specialist asbestos removal contractors.

Below you will find that the general consensus is that if you aren’t sure whether your house contains asbestos in the Artex then get it professionally tested or don’t disturb it al all.  You are fine to paint or replaster over the top and this is usually adequate for most renovation jobs.  The artex can’t harm you if it remains intact.

General Overview of Artex Containing Asbestos

• Era – Up until 1984 but non-asbestos paints were available from 1970s onwards.
• Where Found – Walls and Ceilings
• Type of Asbestos – Chrysotile
• Use – Decorative Paint
• Asbestos Content – Typically 3 to 5%
• Risk of Exposure – Low

Source: Asbestos Registers

How to Remove a Ceiling that Contains Artex Asbestos?

If possible, you should paint, cover or plaster over the decorative coating rather than remove it. There are products on the market for covering textured surfaces. Alternatively, if the coating is applied to a plasterboard surface, the whole board may be removed in pieces large enough for convenient handling and disposal. If you do wish to remove the surface finish only, reduce as much as possible the chance of you generating and inhaling any dust by soaking the surface with warm water and scraping off wet. Do not sand the decorative coating or scrape off dry. For best protection while doing any minor DIY work you should wear a disposable dust mask, ‘CE’ marked to EN 149 with FFP2 particulate filters. – Thurrock Council

There are options available to remove Artex and other decorative finishes that contain Asbestos by applying a coating which causes to Artex to be safely scraped away without causing any dust.  Here is a video of one of the most popular products (X Tex).

How to Know if You Have Asbestos in Your Artex

An expert in asbestos and construction assessment has highlighted (Yahoo Answers) the importance of getting your home professional tested before starting any works that will disturb the Artex:

All ‘Artex’ has been free of asbestos for around 20-30 years now, so if it is new-ish then it will be clear. If you don’t know how old it is, then you can get it tested. So use your judgement, if your house was built in 1990, then it will be clear!

Take caution if you suspect it has been there a long time. Asbestos generally kills around 25-40 years after exposure, and it is the small dust particles that go deepest into the lung, that can cause a mesothelioma cancer, or lung function problems. There are different colours of asbestos, under a microscope the particles are either brown white or blue, all are fatal, all must be treated respectfully. Exposure will not harm you next week! But it is something you must bare in mind.

Ceilings are one of the most common places for Artex to contain asbestos in old houses.

Old decorative ceiling coatings like ‘Artex’ often had small amounts of asbestos added to the material to improve strength. Generally if ceilings are in good condition, they can be left alone and ‘managed in situ’ by annual inspection and maintaining a good paint covering. – Asbestos Surveying Limited

Identify Hazards

You should carefully and thoroughly check the worksite for any materials that could contain hazardous materials. It can be difficult identifying all hazards by eye alone so it is recommended that you use asbestos contractors to inspect and test your worksite. If you are in doubt about any material, assume it is a hazard and seek professional help.

Prepare Work Area

If you are working inside, you should seal off the work area from all other areas inside the house. This will help prevent the spread of any airborne asbestos fibres into non-work areas. To do this, you should close all doors and tape sheets of plastic around any open gaps.

You should also tape plastic over the floor, which will make the cleanup process much more thorough and faster.

Finally, you should cover any power sockets, vents, air conditioning units and central heating ducts with plastic and tape. Again, this is to stop the potential spread of asbestos fibres should they become airborne.

If you are working outside, you should close any windows and doors and seal any vents to ensure no dust or debris goes into your house. You should tell your neighbours that you intend to remove asbestos from your home and get them to do the same. Make sure you seal off any other places where dust might settle if airborne.

You should lay plastic sheeting under the work area, and also in a place where you intend to store the asbestos waste.

Work Safely

You should aim to have any children, pets and pregnant women move out of or away from the work area until the work is done and the cleanup is complete.

When working with asbestos, try not to eat, drink or smoke in the area as it increases the chances of you inhaling asbestos fibres. Importantly, you should wash your hands and face with soap and water before any breaks and at the end of the work day.

When leaving for the day, dust can travel with you on your shoes or clothes. Never shake the dust off you, instead clean them with an industrial vacuum cleaner, recommended by a safety work wear store.

Do not use power tools when removing asbestos as this could damage the surface of the material and release fibres into the air. Instead, use hand tools if possible which generate less dust. Try not to sand asbestos material if possible.

Keep asbestos material damp by using a pump spray to keep down the dust, being careful of any electrics in the area. Do not use a high pressure jet spray on asbestos as this can damage the material and release fibres into the air.

Use a respirator that is approved for work with asbestos. A safety work wear store should be able to provide you with one. Also wear a hat, gloves, coveralls and goggles.

Clean Up Properly

At the end of each working day clean up the work site and remove asbestos waste from the area immediately. Do not sweep the area as this will cause settled asbestos fibres to re-enter the air. Instead, dampen the dust with water and clean up with sponges.

Wrap asbestos waste using heavy duty plastic while still in the work area and mark it clearly as asbestos waste. Dispose of any waste at an approved landfill site. You should contact your local authorities to find out your nearest approved site.

These are the first steps towards Asbestos Safety but please consultant a specialist for more information.

Written By Ply Plema

When removing asbestos from your home, do no break it into smaller pieces to fit into bags or bins. This will release dangerous fibres into the air.

Once you have removed asbestos products from your home you should wet the waste and keep it damp to minimise the release of dust and fibres. In doing so, it’s important to remember not to use too much water so that runoff doesn’t enter drains. Once wet, you should cover the waste in heavy duty plastic and secure with strong adhesive tape. This will ensure no dust can escape.

The asbestos should be stored securely in an area away from any other types of waste to minimise unauthorised access to it. Once stored, you should aim to remove and dispose of it from the site as soon as possible.

If you plan to use a skip bin to store the asbestos waste that you remove from your home, you should ensure that the bin is fully lined with heavy duty plastic before placing any asbestos rubbish into it. As discussed, this waste should also be kept damp. It is important that you do not overfill the skip, and ensure that the bin is covered and secured when full.

You should check with your local authorities as to whether you need a licence to transport asbestos waste. Some jurisdictions make it illegal to remove asbestos yourself, let alone transport it, so be sure you find out what laws apply to you before starting an asbestos removal project.

If you are allowed to transport it, be sure you have wetted and securely packaged the asbestos waste prior to loading it into your vehicle. Only take it to landfill sites that lawfully accept asbestos waste. Your local authorities can advise you of your nearest landfill site. Once you have dumped the waste, ensure no residual asbestos waste remains in your vehicle.

We recommend you use a qualified asbestos removal specialist for all asbestos disposal, transportation and removal. However, if you choose to do it yourself then this guide should help minimise the risks to your family.

Having said that, if you live in a house that has asbestos and it is in good condition there is no need to worry. Studies show that asbestos materials, if left undisturbed and in a reasonable condition in a non-friable state (i.e. cannot be crushed with your hands to release fibres),are not a health risk.

If this applies to you then the following tips will help you keep an eye on the state of the asbestos materials in your home to ensure they remain safe for years to come.

Watch for environmental damage

You should regularly inspect the condition of the asbestos in your home be it roofing, fencing or other sheeting to ensure it has not been damaged by environmental conditions. Badly damaged or weathered asbestos containing materials need to be replaced.

Keep guttering and downpipes in good repair

If you have an asbestos roof it is important that you keep your gutters and downpipes in good repair. Debris in the guttering of asbestos roofs will contain asbestos and should be removed in accordance with the applicable laws of your jurisdiction.

Tank water

If you have a tank you’re probably wondering whether is it safe to drink water collected from an asbestos roof. It is. However, you might wish to consider replacing the roof or fitting water filters to taps over time.

Keep walls painted

If you have asbestos sheeting for walls in your house, keep them in good repair and apply fresh paint to damaged walls. A sealed asbestos sheet is of little risk.

When dealing with asbestos we recommend hiring licensed asbestos removal contractors, who are specifically trained and educated in the how to remove asbestos safely.

Written By Ply Plema