Asbestos was used in more than 3,000 different construction products before 1980 and may have been used in the construction of homes or businesses until the mid-1980s. When undisturbed, asbestos poses no threat. When disturbed by a flooding event, loose fibers become a health hazard. A minimum precaution for dealing with a flood-damaged structure containing asbestos is contacting a certified asbestos abatement professional before proceeding, says Mesquite, Texas, experts Be Happy Restoration.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a material made of six naturally occurring minerals creating a heat-resistant fiber. This material was used in thousands of products, from appliances to construction products such as insulation, flooring, ceiling material, textured paints, patching and joint compounds, shingles, siding, sound-proofing materials, and more.
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
In the 1970s, researchers linked health risks with exposure to airborne particles of asbestos. Studies found that asbestos exposure increases the risk of certain types of cancer, including mesothelioma, lung, ovarian, and laryngeal cancers. Studies have also found a link between asbestos and other cancers, including colon and breast cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Handling asbestos should be avoided and asbestos abatement done by a professional.
How Does Flood Damage Affect Asbestos?
When water comes in contact with building materials, those materials break down and become compromised. If the product contains asbestos, the asbestos fibers become loose and are released into the environment. Flooding may damage many of the materials which then need to be replaced. This can also expose materials containing the fibers.
Why is it Important to Call an Asbestos Abatement Professional?
Flooding and water damage can cause asbestos to become released into the building environment. Mitigating the crack of a flood and returning the structure to a safe and healthy environment requires processes such as drying and demolition that cause these particles to become airborne Without proper protective gear and mitigation processes, anyone entering the site or handling materials may be especially vulnerable to asbestos exposure.
How Does Asbestos Abatement Work?
Depending on the severity of the flood and the damage, an asbestos abatement professional takes the following steps to remove the asbestos and return the structure to a healthy environment.
- Secure the structure and contain any materials with asbestos
- Remove all damaged or destroyed materials that contain asbestos, such as flooring or insulation
- Keep all asbestos-related debris wet and covered to avoid further spread and exposures
- Remove all dangerous materials
- Apply a wetting agent to hard surfaces to prevent asbestos from becoming airborne
- Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum and damp-wipe methods to clean surfaces
Why You Can’t Rush the Asbestos Abatement Process
Naturally, anyone suffering water damage and asbestos exposure in their home or business will want to return to normal life and operations as soon as possible. Rest assured, an asbestos abatement contractor will work hard to get life back to normal as quickly as possible.
However, as restoration professionals, they adhere to all of the federal laws, standards, and regulations set in place to ensure the safety of the building occupants. Because it is a health hazard, asbestos abatement professionals must take an appropriate amount of time to identify all hazards including hidden ones, and proceed with care during the mitigation process. By doing this, occupants can know with certainty that the space is safe.
Water Damage Restoration Services Mesquite
It is important to immediately respond when you experience any kind of water-damaging event. If you are looking for “asbestos abatement near me,” look no further than the Dallas area expert, Be Happy Restoration. The company can be reached by email at: jesseh@behappyrestorationservices.com or by phone at (214) 616-9951.
