If you own an older building, then you should have it tested for asbestos before starting any renovations. If the building was built before 1985, then it could have several materials made from asbestos in it, including the following:
- Floor tiles
- Ceiling tiles
- Electrical insulation
- Textured coatings
- Roof felt
- Rope gaskets and seals
How to Spot Asbestos
Asbestos can be difficult for laymen to detect, which is why people working for certified asbestos removal services in Reigate should be hired to test for it. If it’s present and demolition begins on a project, then workers and others could be exposed to asbestos. While it doesn’t make people sick right away, if it gets into the lungs, it can cause cancer.
Disposing of Asbestos
If a building material turns out to be asbestos, there are ways to safely dispose of it. Experts in asbestos removal will usually seal off the area where they are working, wet down the material to keep fibres from flying around, and then throw the material away in approved bins.
The bins are then taken to a hazardous waste site that accepts asbestos to properly dispose of it, so that it’s no longer a threat to anyone who is on site or is near the site. If asbestos building materials have not been damaged, they are fairly safe to handle, but they should still be disposed of carefully.
If you’re unsure if there is asbestos on a site, you need to call a removal service to have tests performed and the asbestos safely removed if any is found.
