Asbestos remediation in Washington, D.C. is necessary in homes as well as businesses. This comes as a shock to many people who associate the problem with old schools, hospitals and office buildings.
Do you live in an older home? Do you have the 1960s look, including popcorn ceilings? If that’s the case, your home might have asbestos in it. Here is a primer about what to look for and what you need to do about asbestos remediation in Washington, D.C.
Asbestos was considered a miracle fiber for the construction of homes, offices, schools and hospitals in the middle of the 20th Century. It is heat resistant and fire resistant, which added a major safety factor to buildings.
It also provides insulation, saving people money because less heating is required. It was used in special types of glue, a particularly sticky product that was excellent for vinyl flooring.
It was widely used into the 1960s and even early 1970s. But it was identified as a health hazard clear back in the 1920s. In 1924 an Englishman was diagnosed with Asbestosis, a progressive fibrosis of the lungs. By 1931, researchers had discovered that it caused cancer, called mesothelioma.
The material was used so extensively and it was so cost-effective that contractors continued to use it. Though doctors warned against it earlier, it wasn’t until the 1970s that health regulations starting banning it in construction for homes and other buildings.
Over the 80 or more years that it was a known carcinogenic, millions of homes worldwide were built with asbestos as a critical part of the construction material. And many homes still have it.
Asbestos was handy for a wide range of building uses, including:
As you can see, asbestos was used everywhere. That means it still lurks in many older homes, in the unlikeliest places.
As a rule, you won’t be able to tell if your home has asbestos because it was used with other materials. A trained and accredited asbestos remediation professional in Washington, D.C. can do a comprehensive test of your home to identify where it is located.
If the asbestos is covered up and undamaged, you probably don’t need to worry. However, there are two situations that require the work of asbestos remediation technicians in Washington, D.C. These are:
In Washington, D.C., skilled workers take samples that are analyzed at a lab. The technicians know what to look for, things that homeowners are oblivious to.
They also have the safety gear and the equipment to take the samples safely. Homeowners should never try this as a do-it-yourself project. It can release asbestos fibers into the air of the home, causing health problems for everyone living there.
The sad fact is that a homeowner who is trying to save money can actually create a hazardous situation where none existed before.
Some homeowners feel nervous, wondering if asbestos is a problem just waiting to cause trouble, so they should deal with early. Experts recommend to simply leave the material in place if the structure isn’t damaged or if you don’t plan to remodel. If the asbestos isn’t disturbed, it doesn’t create a health hazard. Simply leave it alone.
By law, homes don’t need to be asbestos-free. But commercial property owners must use asbestos remediation services in Washington, D.C. where it is exposed and creates a hazard.
Trained asbestos remediation specialists in Washington, D. C., recommend that you deal with the asbestos as part of your remodeling plan or when you notice structural damage in your home.
It is a good idea to identify potential sources of asbestos, based on lists of building materials mentioned above and also found on the internet. Do a visual check for signs of damage or decay. These are things that can damage material and release asbestos:
Do you notice signs of water damage, abrasions or tears in building material? Any sign of damage can cause the release of asbestos fibers.
If you notice just slight indications of wear, consider limiting access to that part of your house. This is easy if it is found in insulation in the attic, but less easy if it is in the ceilings or walls of your living area. This can also be difficult with children, who like to get into everything.
If you notice signs of more extensive damage, then you need to immediately call an asbestos remediation specialist in Washington, D.C. to deal with it. Because the work requires the right tools and highly specialized training, always work with a properly accredited and licensed professional.
If you notice damage, call an asbestos remediation professional in Washington, D.C. right away. Don’t try to vacuum up dust or debris before he arrives. It might contain asbestos. What you will be doing is spreading it, not containing it.
If you are working on an old linoleum floor in your home, be sure to avoid abrasive pads or brushes with power strippers. These are commonly used to quickly get rid of wax from asbestos flooring. But a power stripper is the worst way to deal with it because it can release fibers into the environment.
If there is dirt and debris in the area, be careful not to get it on your shoes. You can easily track it throughout the house, spreading asbestos fiber far and wide. The best way to deal with it is to call an asbestos remediation specialist in Washington, D.C.
The expert staff here at Envirotex has been safely doing asbestos remediation in Washington, D.C. since 2002. All of our technicians are accredited and fully trained. They have handled big projects at Quantico Marine Base, Fort Belvoir Army Base, and naval bases throughout the Northeast.
We have everything that is needed to get your home asbestos-free. We have the accreditation, equipment, safety gear, training and experience to do the job correctly. The full services for asbestos remediation in Washington, D.C. that we offer include:
We have experience removing asbestos from a wide range of building situations, including transite siding, acoustic ceilings, popcorn ceilings, lath and plaster, plaster, mastic, pipe covering, texture coat, stucco, transite roofing, linoleum, tile, duct work, pipe coverings, mag block, and mag piping. Check out our photo gallery on our website under the asbestos remediation tab. You can see pictures of actual work we have done and different types of areas where asbestos can hide.
In addition to asbestos remediation in Washington, D.C., our professionals here at Envirotex handle:
Our company was started by a veteran who learned his skills in the military, working with air monitoring and hazardous materials testing. We have gained a stellar reputation for safety, thoroughness and excellent customer service.
Our skilled personnel have years of experience dealing with homes and businesses that have an asbestos problem. Since so many structures built before 1980 have asbestos, it is often found during remodeling and after damage from storms.
If that happens to you, call us immediately. We are here to help. We are happy to provide a free, no-obligation quote for your project. Our staff can answer your questions and explain how the remediation is done.
Or you can fill out the handy form on our website. One of our knowledgeable representatives will get back to you quickly. Work with us without worry—we offer a six-month warranty on remediation services.
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