You’ve watched hours upon hours of HGTV, your Pinterest or Houzz boards are full to bursting, and you’ve got grand plans for your home remodeling project. But before you (or your remodeling crew) pick up the sledgehammer and start the “demo” process, make sure you’re prepared to complete your project safely! If your home was built before 1980 (especially between 1950 and 1970), there’s a strong chance that a hidden danger is lurking within the building materials: Asbestos.
Asbestos 101: What to Know Before Remodeling
What is asbestos, and why should I care?
Asbestos is the common name for a handful of naturally-occurring silicate minerals. This family of minerals was all the rage as a mid-century construction ingredient due to its heat resistant properties. The thin fibrils of asbestos were used to create fire resistant building materials like insulation, shingles, tile, siding, caulk, construction adhesives, and HVAC ducting. Unfortunately, asbestos is also a dangerous carcinogen, and its unique structure makes it especially dangerous when particles become airborne. Breathing in asbestos particles can lead to several types of cancer and other serious illnesses, including mesothelioma.
It’s important to know if your home contains asbestos before you start renovations, because even just walking through a space can disturb the asbestos fibers, much less tearing down walls, ripping up tile, or removing insulation. When disturbed, the asbestos particulates can hang in the air for a surprisingly long time, and special protective equipment and training are needed to remove the hazard.
Where should I turn for asbestos removal and abatement in Atlanta?
If your home was built before 1980, you should give us a call before beginning a remodeling project. Due to the dangerous nature of asbestos, anyone involved in asbestos removal or abatement must be certified through the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Here at Clean Environmental Group, we are experienced in asbestos and lead abatement and removal, in addition to other environmental remediation and cleaning services. Our highly-trained team is up-to-date on the latest research and developments in environmental cleaning, and have the certifications to back it up. If you have concerns about asbestos, lead, mold, or other environmental hazards, we provide safe demolition using the best practices and tools the industry has to offer.
Our clients include the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD), the City of Atlanta, and several other local businesses and institutions, as well as many Atlanta homeowners.
We’re here to help make your home or business safe, so don’t hesitate to reach out for a free estimate on our hazardous materials removal and abatement services! Give us a call at 678-807-7900 to learn more, or contact us online by filling out and submitting a quick form.