Before its dangers were fully understood, asbestos used to be found in many products that worked their way into the construction industry. As well as the very well-known plasterboard of the 1960s and early 1970s which was almost entirely made up of this fibrous material, asbestos used to be included in some concrete mixes as well as a number of cement-based products. In fact, you can find asbestos in electrical installations that date to a certain time as well as common DIY products, such as vinyl floor tiles.
Of course, having any of these things in your home does not mean that you also have asbestos. However, if you have established that this material is present in your property, then you will need a professional asbestos removal firm to get rid of it. Why shouldn't you try and get rid of it yourself?
Avoid Breathing It In
Although asbestos products may have been perfectly benign when they were fitted, at the moment of their removal, they can become much more dangerous. Generally speaking, homeowners and DIY enthusiasts underestimate just how lethal asbestos can be upon removal. This is because when it breaks up, the tiny fibres that it is made from are released. You cannot see these fibres and unqualified people often breathe them in if they do not know exactly what they are doing. Even something as simple as unscrewing an asbestos-based product may be enough to release these fibres.
Protective Equipment Is Supplied
Professional asbestos removal firms will have all of the safety equipment that is needed to carry out a good job. Of course, this means protecting the people undertaking the work, such as providing mouth and nose masks, for instance. However, it is just as important to make sure that no tiny fragments of asbestos escape onto the local environment, too. For this reason, professional firms will provide all of the necessary control measures and plastic sheeting to ensure this does not occur.
Safe Disposal Is Taken Care Of
When you hire a professional company that is engaged in the removal of hazardous materials, you are not simply engaging them to get rid of a problem but to dispose of it correctly as well. Even if you were able to remove any asbestos products from your home on your own, then you would still face the problem of where to take them. Asbestos is generally not accepted at municipal tips and other waste processing facilities. However, a professional asbestos removal firm will have the necessary contracts to ensure that all of the asbestos they take away is dealt with responsibly.