Asbestos Tile Removal – Why It Is Best To Leave It To The Professionals
It is very important to get asbestos floor tiles tested if they are going to be removed. This is because disturbed asbestos fibres can cause fatal diseases if inhaled.
It is also important to keep the tiles and old adhesive as damp as possible to minimise the risk of exposure. Also ensure that you have all the required personal protective equipment.
Safety First
Asbestos exposure can cause health issues. To prevent this, it is vital to perform asbestos tile removal with precision. Personal protective equipment minimizes your risk of exposing yourself to harmful fibers. It includes a respirator mask, disposable coveralls and safety goggles.
The work area should be sealed off with plastic sheets to prevent contamination. Workers should also cover air vents, doors and windows. It is important to wet the tiles to avoid releasing fibers into the air during the removal process. Wet material will not float as easily, and it is easier to clean up.
When evaluating whether to DIY or hire professionals, consider the following critical factors:
Avoid Breaking the Tiles
Asbestos fibers are dangerous when inhaled, as they lodge in the lungs and lead to serious long term health issues like lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is why it’s best to leave asbestos tile removal to the professionals who have extensive experience and proper training for safe handling of this hazardous material.
My understanding is that as long as the tiles are not broken in any way there is no danger. However, if they are broken and turned into what is known as friable materials (i.e. crumbling into powder), then they could pose a threat.
Licensed contractors avoid making the tiles friable by using wet methods during the removal process to suppress dust and prevent any fibers from becoming airborne. They also use proper personal protective equipment, including disposable coveralls and a respirator mask. The entire work area is sealed off and access restricted to a small number of people. Air vents are closed and any debris is carefully bagged and labeled before being disposed of in designated waste sites.
Personal Protective Equipment
Besides wearing protective suits and gloves, workers should also wear a half or full face powered air-purifying respirator that has replaceable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. Workers need to wear this in conjunction with disposable overalls complete with a hood, disposable gloves, shoe covers and head coverings.
Any surfaces that cannot be cleaned need to be covered with plastic sheeting and all doors and windows should be sealed shut. Moreover, all waste needs to be bagged immediately for asbestos disposal and disposed of according to local regulations.
Licensed asbestos contractors need to follow strict decontamination procedures when entering and leaving the containment area, including shower facilities and equipment cleaning stations. They should also conduct pre-removal briefings and training sessions to familiarize their employees with the removal plan, safety protocols and emergency procedures. They should also monitor air quality and asbestos fibre levels throughout the removal process. This helps them to identify any issues before they become a health risk.
Leave the Job to a Professional
Unless you are very familiar with asbestos abatement it is best to let the professionals handle the removal. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and can cause a variety of health problems including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Disturbing the tiles can release the harmful fibres into the air and you will need to follow proper disposal guidelines.
In addition to the dangers of breaking & releasing fibres, asbestos is highly toxic when ground into powder & can only be safely disposed of in an approved landfill or incinerator. If you decide to encapsulate the floor yourself make sure you purchase a sealant that is specifically made for vinyl flooring and read the product label several times over, as well as the safety guidelines.
Asbestos tiles that are in good condition should remain undisturbed and covered instead of removed. However, if you plan to remodel your home or are changing the way you use the area it is important to have them tested and if they contain asbestos, professionally removed.
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