Uncategorized

Fire safety is important for any home, and for some time, asbestos was one of the best-known options for increasing the fire resistance of a building. But when asbestos was found to present serious health hazards, it became important to remove asbestos from buildings where it had been installed. Here’s what you need to know if you have to remove asbestos in your home:

  • The risk from asbestos can change over time. Asbestos-containing materials in good repair may not release asbestos fibers which can damage your lungs. However, as the material ages, it may suffer wear and tear and increase your exposure risk.
  • If you suspect that your home contains asbestos, you’ll have to send material samples to a lab for conclusive analysis. Look for labs certified to perform Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis.
  • If you discover asbestos in your home, you have options. You may not need to remove asbestos in all cases; if you can seal the asbestos or isolate it, you can reduce the health risks associated with asbestos in your home. If the asbestos is mixed with another material that has not been cut or sawed, it may also present little danger – though you will need to monitor it for damage.
  • Asbestos removal is the only permanent solution to the risks presented by asbestos in your home, but the removal should be done properly, by trained professionals. If the removal is performed poorly, asbestos fibers may be released into the air, turning a potential problem into an acute one.
  • A HEPA air cleaner can help protect you and your home during the process of asbestos removal, filtering the small asbestos fibers from the air. Removing any airborne fibers from your circulating air is an important step in safeguarding your health and maintaining your indoor air quality.

If you’re concerned that you may need to remove asbestos from your Chatham-area home, look up the EPA’s recommendations. For more information on this or any other HVAC topic, contact Pipe Works Services

company icon