People may be exposed to asbestos if they take on a DIY asbestos removal project. Although many companies throughout the United States offer asbestos removal services, some homeowners prefer DIY asbestos removal.
In 1971 the EPA recognized asbestos as a known carcinogen. Understandably, many people who want to remove asbestos from their homes show safety concerns. If you own an older home, it may have been built with asbestos.
It is estimated that more than 30 million U.S. buildings contain asbestos.
Should I remove asbestos from my home?
It’s not always necessary to remove asbestos materials from your home. Because asbestos is dangerous only when airborne, left undisturbed in your home, it might not pose a health risk.
As long as the asbestos materials are left undisturbed and do not release toxic fibers in the air, asbestos removal isn’t required. So, if the asbestos materials in your home are undamaged by DIY projects, your home is safe. Only airborne asbestos poses a health risk to you.
If you take on a DIY asbestos removal project, avoid moving brittle materials like vermiculite attic insulation, known for containing a high concentration of asbestos.
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Is DIY asbestos removal legal?
You can legally remove asbestos from your home, but you cannot get the help of anyone other than a certified asbestos abatement contractor.
You can ask your friends and family to help you with your DIY asbestos removal project. They can only participate if they are unpaid and help you voluntarily.
It’s critical to understand that removing asbestos from your house can be dangerous. Anytime you disturb asbestos materials, releasing asbestos fibers into the air is unavoidable. Therefore, complex asbestos removal projects shouldn’t be undertaken without a certified asbestos removal contractor. In such cases, the smart choice is to avoid the do-it-yourself asbestos removal approach and hire a certified asbestos abatement contractor.
Is DIY asbestos removal difficult?
DIY asbestos removal is difficult. Such a project is not only dangerous, but it is physically demanding.
When you work with asbestos materials, you need to breathe through a respirator. Breathing through a respirator puts additional strain on your lungs and heart.
You are going to have to remove asbestos by wearing uncomfortable clothing. Due to the water used during asbestos removal, the work area will be humid.
When working with water around electrical wiring, you have to be cautious.
Asbestos removal can involve climbing to high places and working on ladders.
Should I replace my asbestos garage roof?
You should replace your asbestos garage roof if it has been damaged. But it’s not necessary to replace your asbestos garage roof as long as it’s undamaged.
The real danger of asbestos is releasing asbestos fibers during a DIY garage roof removal project.
DIY Removal of Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling
Before you start removing popcorn ceilings, understand that not all spray-on “popcorn” ceilings contain asbestos materials. The only way to know for sure is to submit “popcorn” samples for laboratory analysis.
Cost is minimal for asbestos popcorn ceiling testing. You can find asbestos testing labs online.
Contact the laboratory and ask them how to prepare the sample for asbestos testing. The test may come back negative, which means one percent or less asbestos material was found in the popcorn ceiling sample. But even if the first asbestos test comes back negative, you should take two more samples from different areas on the ceiling to be sure.
DIY Asbestos Removal Procedures
Protection is the most important aspect of a DIY asbestos removal project. During asbestos removal, wear protective equipment to prevent breathing in asbestos fibers.
For your DIY asbestos removal project, you need to use the following protective equipment:
- Goggles – Make sure you wear non-fogging goggles.
- Respirator – Use half-face dual-cartridge respirators equipped with HEPA filters.
- Rubber boots – Wear laceless, pull-on rubber boots. Wash them thoroughly after each use.
- Disposable rubber gloves – You will need several pairs of disposable rubber gloves. Each person working with you on asbestos removal should wear gloves.
- Disposable coveralls – Wear oversize coveralls since they are more comfortable. Use coveralls each time you enter the work area. Dispose of each coverall in a sealed asbestos removal bag.
Wetting and DIY Asbestos Removal
Wetting is an important part of DIY asbestos removal projects. It’s an essential part of asbestos fiber control procedures. For safe asbestos removal, the materials containing asbestos must be thoroughly wetted before, during, and after removal. The water will keep asbestos out of the air circulation.
Create a containment area by building a plastic containment area around your work area. Cover floors and walls in the project area to make sure all debris is captured.
What if I didn’t test for asbestos?
If you didn’t test for asbestos in your popcorn ceiling, you should assume it contains asbestos and handle it accordingly.
Are you sure you want to remove asbestos popcorn ceiling?
Asbestos popcorn ceiling is only a health risk if fibers are released into the air. But, if the asbestos-containing spray-on “popcorn” ceiling is in good shape and left undisturbed should not release harmful asbestos fibers into the air.
So, if you live in a home with an asbestos popcorn ceiling, the least expensive and easiest option may be to leave it undisturbed. You might simplify your DIY project if you can work around it without removing it.
Instead of taking on a DIY asbestos removal project, you can spray paint over the asbestos popcorn ceiling. As long as the popcorn ceiling is in good condition, spray painting is a much simpler option than asbestos removal.
Painting asbestos ceilings may make it much more difficult to remove them safely. DIY asbestos removal depends on your ability to thoroughly wet the material before disturbing it. But painting can seal the popcorn material, making it difficult or impossible to wet.
Is asbestos removal necessary?
If your home has asbestos, it doesn’t mean it’s necessary to remove it. Most homes built before 1980 have asbestos materials. The only way to know if your home has asbestos materials is to test and inspect.
If you are about to start a DIY remodel project, you should ensure you know if asbestos is present in your house. The smart approach is to send a sample of the suspect materials to a certified laboratory for analysis or to hire a professional asbestos testing company.
You can complete small asbestos removal projects in your home if you take the necessary precautions. Following basic asbestos removal procedures, you can discard asbestos products such as corrugated roofing sheets, pipe insulation, and vinyl floor tiles.
But it’s best to hire a team of licensed asbestos removal professionals for work covering large areas with asbestos materials.
Asbestos Fence Removal Costs
Asbestos fence removal costs can range from $200 to $800 per hour, depending on the project. Prices vary depending on the location where asbestos is located. Some asbestos removal companies charge per square foot. But many contractors charge per hour due to the wide variety of asbestos removal requirements.
