Asbestos are naturally occurring mineral fibers that is known for its tensile strength, flexibility, chemical inertness, insulation from electricity and heat, and affordability. Because of its versatility, asbestos became a popular choice of material to many industries. To date, there are over a thousand manufactured products that contain asbestos. And mostly, these asbestos-containing materials are found in homes and commercial buildings.
However, the widespread use of asbestos poses a significant health risk, especially if the asbestos-containing materials are not properly maintained or carefully removed. In order to truly eliminate the health threat of asbestos exposure, a thorough asbestos abatement should be in place.
While some cases may require the removal of a portion of the asbestos, most cases call for the abatement of the entire asbestos-containing material. There are also instances where abatement asbestos may be accomplished through encapsulation or encasement. But ultimately, the asbestos abatement process depends on the amount of asbestos present, and its location.
Although homeowners are legally allowed to carry out an abatement asbestos procedure on their own, doing so without proper experience and skills can worsen the situation. Only a licensed asbestos abatement contractor should handle the removal of asbestos-containing materials.
Because asbestos can be dangerous to health, selecting an asbestos abatement expert must never be taken lightly. To help you find a trustworthy contractor, here are a few things that you should do.
Check for Certifications
Since friable asbestos is hazardous, you have to make sure that the company you will hire to remove them has the proper certifications. This way, you can breathe easy knowing that the asbestos abatement will be carried out in compliance with the law.
Ask for References
Check if the prospective company has a list of references or recent projects that they completed successfully. Call their previous clients to find out if the company is professional, reliable, and effective throughout the entirety of their projects. You should also read the company’s portfolio. This will let you gauge their level of expertise in the particular asbestos abatement procedure you require.
Check for Insurance Coverage
Any reputable and reliable company will have a comprehensive insurance that covers bodily harm, property damage, and air pollution liability. Also, you may want to find out if they have an automotive liability insurance for cases when you need to transport the asbestos to a proper disposal site.
Ask for a Detailed Plan
Asking the prospective company to outline the details of their removal process may help you measure their competency and preparedness. The asbestos specialist should be able to provide guidelines for worker safety, specs for the sealed contaminated area, their abatement methods, as well as proper waste containment and disposal.
Look for a Full-Service Provider
Choose a contractor that will be able to guide you through the abatement asbestos process—from sample testing to contaminated waste disposal. What you need is a company that has ample experience and adequate industry connections to make certain that the abatement process go as smoothly as planned.
