If you have asbestos on your property, then it may be liable to become airborne, which can prove dangerous to anyone in the vicinity. Fortunately, with JRP Tree & Demolition, asbestos abatement here in the Houston area couldn’t be easier. We can have your building tested for asbestos to determine all of the materials that contain asbestos, and we can formulate an efficient, affordable abatement plan that suits the specifics of your home or building. Then, our asbestos contractors will get to work safely removing these materials from your building. We work with homeowners, business owners, and building contractors to provide asbestos abatement for building renovations and demolitions — we can also provide demolition services on top of our abatements.
If you’re ready to make sure that your building is completely free from this harmful material, then we’re here to help. Simply reach out to us to learn more about our abatements and to get a free estimate for your upcoming project. You can also learn more about the dangers of asbestos and you’ll find answers to some of our frequently asked questions — both of which are listed below. Count on JRP Tree & Demolition for an affordable, fast asbestos abatement to ensure that your building is safe!
Asbestos is a silicate mineral that proved to be useful to create a variety of building materials. Asbestos may include chrysotile, crocidolite, and amosite, which were often used to craft various building materials before it was discovered that asbestos can be dangerous. Asbestos was often used in construction of buildings prior to 1986. Unfortunately, while this material proved to be a diverse option to create many building materials (including ceiling materials, insulation, floor tiles, and much more), it was later discovered that asbestos is dangerous when it becomes airborne, since we can breathe it into our lungs where it can cause health problems.
When airborne asbestos is inhaled, particles can settle deep in the lungs, where they can cause damage and inhibit the overall capacity of the lungs. The Texas Department of State Health Services describes some of the health complications that can occur when an individual is exposed to asbestos: “Information on human health effects of asbestos comes mostly from long-term studies of people exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Asbestos workers who breathe in asbestos may develop a slow build-up of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis. This scarred tissue state impairs the ability of the lungs and heart to adequately provide oxygen to the body. This is a serious disease, and can eventually lead to disability or death in people exposed to high amounts of asbestos. Asbestos workers also have increased chances of developing two types of cancer: Lung cancer starts within the respiratory tissues, and mesothelial cancer grows from the thin membranes that surround the lung or the abdominal cavities. Both lung cancer and mesothelioma are usually fatal. These asbestos-related diseases do not appear immediately, but may develop 20 to 50 years after exposure.”
Due to the health hazards that asbestos materials pose, it is now illegal to utilize asbestos in building materials. There are also state and federal regulations on how it should be removed from homes and buildings. Under federal law, asbestos removal may only be performed by a licensed contractor who has obtained licensing through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Texas also has laws that outline inspection and removal requirements, although they are similar to the EPA’s regulations and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants’ (NESHAP) guidelines.
Consult a physician if you believe you have been harmed by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos Abatement FAQ
Asbestos abatement includes the removal and arresting of asbestos. Asbestos may either be removed from a building, or the risk of exposure can be minimized by sealing or arresting the asbestos and leaving it where it is. In some instances, asbestos materials can simply be sealed up or sprayed with an adhesive to arrest the otherwise harmful material. In this way, the asbestos can’t become airborne (since it won’t be agitated), rendering the home or building safe.
If asbestos removal is necessary (as it may be for renovations, repairs, and demolitions), then there are numerous practices that can be employed to capture the asbestos, seal it, and transport it safely to a landfill where it can be buried. Due to the hazards that removal can present and the training and skill required to properly remove asbestos, an asbestos abatement may only be performed by a licensed asbestos contractor.
Possibly. During an abatement, we may require that you leave the premises. In some instances, we may be able to use plastic and tape to seal off a specific area to close off any air that may be affected by an abatement. If there is a risk that asbestos could be released into the air, nobody should be nearby unless they are wearing protective measures. We may perform real-time air testing if you have to remain on site or need to access parts of your building. We will also perform an air test after the abatement to ensure that the air is safely breathable. Air testing ensures that there are few to no particles of asbestos in the air.
Most asbestos abatements only take a day or two, and the air should be breathable shortly thereafter. Again, we’ll test your air to make sure that it meets federal and state regulations on the maximum required particles per cubic centimeter of air.
Probably not. Unfortunately, most homeowner’s insurance plans do not cover asbestos abatement costs. Consult your insurer if you think you may have coverage.
While it’s understandable to be concerned about asbestos that may be in your home (and it may have been in there since you moved), most asbestos materials are relatively harmless unless they are disturbed. While several building materials contain asbestos, that asbestos is often locked into place, so it can’t freely escape into the air.
In fact, the EPA points out the undisturbed asbestos poses little risk to human health. The EPA published that ”Asbestos that is in good condition and left undisturbed is unlikely to present a health risk. The risks from asbestos occur when it is damaged or disturbed where asbestos fibers become airborne and can be inhaled. Managing asbestos in place and maintaining it in good repair is often the best approach.”
That said, if you’re performing a renovation or a demolition and you will be working with these materials, the asbestos particles can be released in the air. Therefore, in these instances, it is necessary to have the asbestos abated before any work is performed.
Also, you should be wary of spray insulation and pipe insulation. These materials are more likely to make their way into the air, since they aren’t well adhered to other materials. If you are concerned about loose asbestos in your home, have a licensed asbestos inspector take a look.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine whether or not the materials in your home contain asbestos. However, as a rule of thumb, you don’t have to be concerned about materials that were installed after 1989, since asbestos use became highly regulated by the EPA at that time. The EPA warns that you can’t tell if you have asbestos-laced material, noting “It's not possible for you to tell whether a material in your home contains asbestos simply by looking at it. If you suspect a material within your home might contain asbestos (for example floor tile, ceiling tile or old pipe wrap) and the material is damaged (fraying or falling apart) or if you are planning on performing a renovation that would disturb the material, the EPA recommends that you have it sampled by a properly trained and accredited asbestos professional (inspector). The professional then should use a qualified laboratory to perform the asbestos analysis. Also, you may learn more about whether the replacement materials you intend to install might possibly contain asbestos by reading the product labels, calling the manufacturer, or by asking if your retailer can provide you with the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product(s) in question.
Under Texas law, inspections are required for public building renovations and demolitions. Private building owners do not need to have an inspection performed in order to perform a renovation or demolition. That said, we recommend that you have your building tested if it was built or remodeled prior to 1989, since asbestos was a common building material then.
Count on JRP Tree & Demolition for an Abatement
JRP Tree & Demolition is Houston’s asbestos abatement team. Our asbestos abatement contractors will ensure that your property is perfectly prepared for your upcoming renovation or repair project, and we can help to remove any sources of loose asbestos throughout your property. If you’re ready to get your project started, simply reach out to us to schedule an appointment. We can take a look at your site and offer you a quote. We also provide demolition services, so that you can complete your abatement and demolition in one fell swoop. Get started today!
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