Procedures For Removing Asbestos

If you’re considering doing your own asbestos removal, consider that asbestos is in essence a form of toxic waste. Mishandling could result in tragic and painful consequences not only for you, but your family as well. The information presented here is informational – the owners of this websites assumes no liability should you choose to undertake any asbestos work on your own.

Hiring a qualified asbestos abatement contractor is expensive, but not nearly as costly as treating asbestos-related diseases.

Gather the Proper Equipment

The first rule of asbestos abatement is to protect yourself. This means having the right protective clothing and equipment. At a minimum, you’ll need:

  1. a respirator that covers the mouth and nose, with dual cartridges and HEPA filters
  2. vented goggles (non-fogging)
  3. laceless, pull-on rubber boots
  4. several pairs of disposable coveralls with built-in booties
  5. several pairs of disposable rubber gloves.

When it comes to tools, you’ll need:

  1. a 2-3 gallon tank sprayer
  2. liquid dish detergent
  3. 4-8 inch putty knives and a dust pan
  4. polyethylene plastic sheeting (2 – 6 mil)
  5. asbestos waste disposal bags
  6. duct tape
  7. clean, disposable rags
  8. encapsulant (sealer).

In addition, depending on whether you’re working ceilings or floors, you’ll need a step ladder, abrasive pads and razor scrapers.

These materials can be purchased from vendors listed in the Yellow Pages under "Safety Equipment and Clothing," or by entering those terms and the name of your local community into an Internet search engine.

Prepare the Worksite

It is important to put up warning signs, since you are liablefor any harm or injury that results from asbestos exposure on your property, just like an entity such as a corporation.

First, all furniture must be removed from the work area, particularly if it is made from some type of fabric.

Next, remove all electrical fixtures (lights and fire/smoke alarms) from the area and turn off all current to the room at the junction box. If you need light in the contaminated area, you’ll need portable work lights wired and grounded to an outside circuit.

Finally, before any actual asbestos removal begins, you must build containment areas with the polyethylene sheeting. This is done by covering all non-contaminated surfaces with the plastic sheeting and sealing it with duct tape. In addition to protecting the surfaces of the work, you will need to create a transition area, or "airlock" where workers remove their protective clothing and dispose of used, contaminated equipment.

Asbestos Removal

The basic procedure is to wet down the asbestos material with "amended" water (i.e., water containing a few drops of detergent). In addition, all clothing and surfaces of the containment area should be wet as well in order to prevent asbestos fibers from becoming airborne and being inhaled or ingested. Afterwards, the material is scraped off and deposited in special disposal bags.

Once the material has been sprayed and allowed to soak in, it should have the consistency of loose dough or clay. If not, the process is repeated.

If the materials are still unaffected by water, it’s time to stop work and call into a professional. A good resource for finding qualified, reputable asbestos abatement specialists is to call 1-800-431-2584 and speak to the Contractor’s Register in Jefferson County, NY. This company maintains a database on asbestos removal contractors around the nation.

'Procedures For Removing Asbestos' Sources:

  • Utah State Department of Air Quality. "Asbestos Removal Procedures for Home Owners." (State of Utah, 2007).