If your home or building was built before the 1990s, there’s a chance it contains asbestos. This harmful material was once common in insulation, tiles, ceilings, and other building materials. While it helped with fire resistance, we now know it’s dangerous to your health when disturbed. To decontaminate these areas safely and effectively, you need the help of a professional asbestos removal company.
The experts know how to safely detect and remove asbestos without putting you, your family, or your workers at risk. But what exactly do they do? And why should you never try to handle asbestos on your own? Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Inspection and Testing
Everything starts with a careful inspection. A trained team comes to your property to look for signs of asbestos. They take small samples from suspected areas and send them to a lab. This step is important because you can’t tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it.
Once the results come back, the team explains what was found. If asbestos is present, they create a detailed removal plan tailored to your property.
Step 2: Planning and Preparation
Asbestos removal isn’t something you rush. Before starting, the crew seals off the affected area. This means closing vents, setting up plastic barriers, and sometimes turning off HVAC systems. This keeps asbestos fibers from spreading through the air to other parts of your home or building.
Workers also wear protective suits and masks to stay safe. They bring tools like special vacuums and filters designed to trap asbestos fibers.
Step 3: Safe Removal
Now comes the hard part—removing the material without releasing the fibers. The team carefully pulls out the asbestos-containing materials, seals them in thick, labeled bags, and gets them ready for safe disposal. This part of the job takes time and skill. Every move is done with care to prevent contamination.
All the removed materials are taken to an approved disposal site. The team never leaves anything behind that could harm you later.
Step 4: Cleanup and Air Testing
After the asbestos is gone, the team doesn’t just pack up and leave. They clean the area thoroughly using wet wipes and vacuums with HEPA filters. Then, they test the air to make sure it’s safe to breathe. Only when the air is clear is the area considered safe to use again.
This final step gives you peace of mind. You’ll know that your space is truly safe for living, working, or remodelling.
Why You Shouldn’t Do It Yourself
You might wonder if you can save money by removing asbestos yourself. The answer is simple: don’t do it.
Even a small mistake can release harmful fibers into the air. You won’t see them, but you’ll breathe them in. Over time, this exposure can lead to serious health problems like lung disease, asbestosis, or cancer. It’s just not worth the risk.
What Makes a Good Removal Team?
Not all companies are the same. A good asbestos removal team is licensed, insured, and trained. They follow local laws and safety rules. They explain every step clearly, so you always know what’s going on.
Before you hire anyone, ask about their experience. Look for companies with good reviews and a strong safety record. Don’t just go with the cheapest option. Cutting corners with asbestos can cost you more in the long run.
How Removal Helps Property Owners
1. Improves Indoor Air Quality
Removing asbestos eliminates airborne fibers, making the air safer to breathe for everyone—especially children, seniors, and people with respiratory conditions.
2. Increases Property Value
A certified asbestos-free property is more attractive to buyers, increasing its market value and helping you sell or lease faster and at better terms.
3. Meets Legal Requirements
Many areas require asbestos inspections and removal before renovations or sales. Professional removal ensures you comply with local safety and environmental laws.
4. Reduces Future Liability
By removing asbestos now, you lower the risk of legal claims or health-related lawsuits from tenants, workers, or future property occupants.
5. Prepares for Renovation
Asbestos removal clears the way for safe remodeling or repairs, preventing costly delays and keeping contractors and workers protected during construction.
Key Takeaways
- Asbestos is harmful when disturbed.
- A professional crew knows how to find and remove it safely.
- Removal involves inspection, sealing off the area, careful removal, disposal, and air testing.
- DIY asbestos removal is dangerous and illegal in many places.
- Hiring trained experts protects your health, time, and investment.
If you think there might be asbestos in your home or business, don’t wait. Reach out to a certified team that knows how to handle it safely. A trusted asbestos removal company can make sure the job is done right from start to finish.
Companies like MSN Environmental have the training, experience, and tools to keep your space safe—so you can breathe easy again