Before you begin to renovate your home in the midst of the pandemic, keep in mind the age of your home. It's very common to find asbestos insulation, floor, ceiling tiles, and other potentially dangerous materials in older structures. With many Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville construction and renovation projects, asbestos removal is likely required. As we've discussed previously, removing asbestos (also called asbestos abatement) is a serious business and should be done by a professional. Because of these health risks, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure you’re working with a highly trained and qualified asbestos removal professional.
Here are the top questions you need to ask before hiring an asbestos removal company.
Companies who perform asbestos abatement should have extensive training and certifications because of the health risks involved in the task. In Tennessee, the Department of Environment and Conservation maintains the Tennessee Solid Waste Management Asbestos Certifications Program to ensure that asbestos removal companies are following the proper procedures to maintain the health and safety of their workers and the public.
If you're a homeowner planning a renovation or a business beginning construction, you should always ask if the provider if they are licensed by the state to perform asbestos abatement. If the answer is unclear, then check with the state to ensure you’re hiring a true professional.
Southeast Environmental is proud to be fully accredited by the state of Tennessee for asbestos removal.
Asbestos abatement is a complicated process, and the right company will outline their process to you to ensure you are aware of the safe removal and containment of the asbestos.
Full containment is recommended when removing asbestos from large areas or when removing it mechanically, which may cause the material to become airborne. It requires a fully contained and sealed enclosure along with a three-stage decontamination area.
Industrial asbestos removal can often be complicated due to the working environment. Ask if the asbestos abatement company will work around scheduled shutdowns or routine maintenance periods to minimize operational disruptions and if they have experience with building scaffolding to reach all areas in the industrial location.
In some cases, asbestos-containing materials can be encapsulated (or sealed) rather than completely removed. This is a common approach when dealing with pipe insulation.
With so many approaches available to remove asbestos, it’s essential to ask the company exactly what the plans are for your specific situation.
Asbestos abatement can be a significant expense due to the specialized work involved. The cost of asbestos removal can vary widely depending on the variables involved. For instance, does your project require full containment? Will it require scaffolding and other structures to be built to perform the work properly? Will encapsulation be enough? But remember to check for the proper licenses when comparing the cost of asbestos removal between companies. Safety is always the most crucial factor.
It's recommended to do research on the companies you are looking to hire. Look at their website, reviews, and certification. Ask potential asbestos removal services for references and information about past projects. They should be able to give you the names and contact information for multiple past clients who are satisfied with their services.
Southeast Environmental is trusted all over the southeast to manage and remove asbestos quickly, safely, and efficiently. Our team has the experience and expertise to tackle any project you have. Contact us today to evaluate your needs, and EAI will take care of the rest!