Dos And Don'ts Of DIY Asbestos Removal

Construction & Contractors Articles

For the two decades between 1950 and 1970, Australian construction was using more asbestos per capita than any other country. Australia also banned the use of asbestos at a later date than the majority of the rest of the First World countries. This combination of facts means that there is a substantial chance that there is asbestos in your home. Householders frequently decide to remove asbestos on their own despite the dangers of doing so. Here are several Dos and Don'ts for you to keep in mind If you've elected to make asbestos removal your next DIY project:

DO:

  • Do wear disposable, protective clothing such as a coverall, hat, and gloves.
  • Do wear respiratory protection such as a half-face respirator designed specifically for use by those working with asbestos.
  • Do wet the surface prior to pulling out nails in order to keep asbestos particulates from becoming airborne.
  • Do wrap the material in heavy builders' plastic wrap and seal firmly with strong tape.
  • Do mark the package clearly as containing asbestos with a warning not to open it.
  • Do dispose of it at an EPA approved facility
  • Do vacuum the area after you are finished with a vacuum specifically made for collecting asbestos fibres.

It is also important that you properly dispose of the clothing that you wore while removing the asbestos. Do not remove your respirator until after you have removed the clothing and placed it in a tightly sealed bag that is clearly marked as containing materials that have been contaminated with asbestos and dispose of it with the rest of the materials. You should then take a long, thorough shower and wash your hair. You can also hire a company that specialises in asbestos removal to haul if away for you -- they can deliver an asbestos-approved skip bin to your site before you begin work and pick it up when you are finished.

DON'T:

  • Don't try to get by with wearing a standard dust mask in place of a proper respirator. This is among the most common mistakes made by DIYers when it comes to asbestos removal, and the risk of contracting lung disease as a result of breathing asbestos particulates is extremely high.
  • Don't sweep the area with a dry broom -- this will cause particulates to become airborne. Use a damp mop if you need to move materials into a pile for easier vacuuming.
  • Don't use high water pressure when wetting the materials or the area -- a slow stream of water will prevent particulates from being thrown into the air.
  • Don't attempt to remove asbestos on a windy day if you are working outdoors.
  • Don't use power tools -- hand tools lessen the risk of particulates becoming airborne.
  • Don't fail to open windows and doors if you are working indoors to provide yourself with additional ventilation.
  • Don't attempt to do this job if you are not feeling your absolute best -- this isn't a time to risk miscalculations and accidents that may result from not feeling up to par.

It cannot be stressed enough that asbestos removal is a potentially dangerous task that can have far-reaching consequences on anyone in the area. To minimise the chances of others becoming negatively affected in the event asbestos particulates become airborne despite cautionary measures, inform your neighbors of your intention of performing a DIY asbestos removal task, and make certain that children and pets are kept clear of the area that you will be working in. You should also go to websites and schedule yourself a little more time than you think that it will take so that you won't find yourself rushing through the job.

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7 October 2014

How I Constructed My New Home

Hello and welcome to my construction blog. My name is David and I would like to tell you about the process of designing and building a new home from the ground up. I had always dreamed of building my own home and last year, that dream became a reality. I had been saving money for many years so I could afford to buy the materials and employ the contractors needed to construct my home. I learnt so much during the process, I decided to start this blog. It was a wonderful day when the final piece of my home was put into place and I am now very happy.