Who Can Remove Asbestos?

Only with some rare exceptions, you must hire a state certified asbestos abatement contractor to perform the removal for you.

These highly trained and certified professionals have the equipment and know-how to do the job according to the safety and environmental standards by the regulations, and each supervisor and worker performing the job have the experience and is individually trained and certifies as well.

One thing to bear in mind: unless you get the name of a contractor from the state authority, you can't take it for granted the contractor is really certified just because the internet search or the telephone listing says so.

Seattle Asbestos Test has worked with numerous asbestos abatement contractors and would be willing to help our clients to locate an asbestos contractor that is recommendable, will meet your price, location and job scope criteria.

The exceptional case is when you are the owner of and currently living in a single family, non-multiple unit house. You can perform the removal yourself if you chose to, but remember it won’t be easy and it may not be the safest thing for you and your family.

It is important to note that even under the best of circumstances, home owner performed asbestos projects can be physically demanding and potentially dangerous.

First of all, you will have to breath through a respirator and it’s more difficult than normal breathing and places an additional stress on the heart and lungs. A physician should be consulted before anyone performs strenuous work while wearing a respirator.

In addition, protective clothing can be hot and uncomfortable, work spaces become very humid due to the water used in wetting the asbestos, eye protection often results in reduced visibility, and caution must be taken with wiring and electrical power because water is used to wet the asbestos.

Furthermore, the work may cause damages. The removal procedures may result in damage to walls and ceilings. Duct tape can discolor wood paneling, tear wallpaper and remove paint and texture. Water may stain walls and damage floors. Using metal scrapers on wetted plasterboard ceilings may result in tearing of the plasterboard paper.

You will have to wear special protective gears to protect yourself, and an appropriate respirator, disposable coveralls, disposable gloves, and rubber boots should be prepared.

Since wetting is critical during and after removal in order for asbestos materials to be thoroughly saturated with water keeping asbestos fibers out of the air, the wet environment may cause additional difficult and damage.

You will have to know how to set up a containment area and remove it after the job is done, and you will also know how to decontaminate the area and your equipment to make sure you didn’t pollute your house.

Finally, you will have to know the sites and procedure to disposal the asbestos waste.