Asbestos was a common building material for much of the 20th century and can still be found in many homes today. If you have recently discovered that your property has an asbestos problem, you might be tempted to remove the asbestos yourself. It's good that you recognize the importance of asbestos removal, but it is highly dangerous to attempt to take the asbestos out of your building without the correct equipment and training. When you identify something that you think could be asbestos, it is always best to call in a professional asbestos removal team. They will have the tools and experience to clear the asbestos while keeping you and your family safe.

Why is asbestos removal dangerous?

You might think that as asbestos has been in your home for many years, it can't pose a threat to your family, but that is a misunderstanding. Asbestos that is left alone is safe. The danger with asbestos comes from the tiny fibres in the material. These fibres can be inhaled, causing diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. These fibres are released when the asbestos is disturbed. Because they are too small to be easily seen, they can remain in your home, causing long-term damage. Asbestos can be disturbed during household maintenance or DIY work, but also during attempts to remove the asbestos from the home, which is why professional assistance is so vital.

Is all asbestos dangerous?

If you know anything about asbestos, you may be aware that asbestos comes in different types. There are six types of asbestos: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite. Each of these types of asbestos looks quite different. It can be sometimes difficult to work out whether a material you are looking at is asbestos or something harmless instead. The best way to resolve any doubt is to arrange to have the material tested, which will make it plain whether it can be left alone or whether you must arrange asbestos removal. If the test reveals that the material is any sort of asbestos, you must have it taken away by a professional company.

Working with an asbestos removal company

When you call in an asbestos removal company, they will start by inspecting the site carefully to check that all of the asbestos has been located. It is far better to extract all of the asbestos at once rather than return several times as more asbestos is discovered. Once the asbestos removal company has defined the scope of the job, they will wrap the asbestos to prevent any fibres from escaping and remove it from your property.

To learn more, contact a professional asbestos removal team.