Asbestos removal services help to make properties all over Australia safe from the harmful effects of asbestos. Here are three questions you should ask before signing a contract for asbestos removal.
1. Do You Have an Asbestos Removal Licence?
Removing asbestos from an Australian home or business requires a licence. The purpose of this licence is to show that the licence holder has the necessary training and equipment to remove and dispose of asbestos safely.
A reputable asbestos removal company will always be happy to show you their licence. Be wary of building contractors who offer to remove asbestos that they discover during a remodel. If they do not have the appropriate licence, you could be putting your family or employees at risk by trusting unqualified people with the important task of asbestos removal.
2. Is It Required to Leave the Building During Asbestos Removal?
Sometimes, it is possible for asbestos removal companies to get rid of asbestos without requiring the owner to leave the building at all. Protective equipment is used to shield the inhabited parts of the building from the area where the work is being carried out.
In other cases, the only safe option is to leave the building during asbestos removal. Depending on the size of the job, asbestos removal could take anything from a few hours to several days. Be sure to ask this question as early as possible when you are making arrangements for asbestos removal so you have time to organise alternative accommodation or office space if necessary.
3. Is Asbestos Removal the Only Option?
When asbestos is discovered in your home or business, a complete removal is often the safest option. However, if the asbestos is in a stable condition, it might be possible to encapsulate it in a specialist material, such as a type of polyurethane or epoxy, to seal it off from the inhabited space and keep all the residents of the building safe.
Asbestos encapsulation involves spraying or sticking material over the asbestos to completely cover it. Once this process has been carried out, you need to remember where the asbestos is and not carry out any remodelling work that risks disturbing it. When asbestos is disturbed, it can release fibres that are extremely damaging to the lungs of anyone who breathes them in, leading to aggressive cancers in the long term.
Asbestos encapsulation is typically a less expensive option than asbestos removal, but it is only suitable in certain situations. Consult an asbestos testing or survey company to find out whether removal or encapsulation is the most suitable option for you.
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