Idaho Falls - Asbestos Removal Requires a Cautious Approach

4/11/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Safely Abates Asbestos Contamination from Idaho Falls Structures

SERVPRO Has Qualified Technicians for Asbestos Abatement

Restoring your home after a disaster brings multiple issues. There are the physical matters such as weakened ceilings and sub-floors after a storm. The atmosphere after a fire is often toxic with odors. A common problem after many disasters is the presence of asbestos. While it is safe to use, and have in your home, once it is damaged, there is a risk to everyone who steps inside.

Asbestos removal from your Idaho Falls home is a breathing hazard and is not a clean-up issue that can be handled wearing rubber gloves and a surgical mask. SERVPRO knows which structure materials are a risk and should be either cleaned or removed depending on their condition.
Asbestos is a great material for decoration. It provides texture to paints which make for more attractive walls and ceilings. It also is mixed with plaster which makes for a stronger surface. It also is an excellent additive to acoustical sprays which help provide sound-proofing. It only becomes unsafe when it is cracked, burned, or otherwise damaged which releases asbestos into the air and the thread-like strands are a threat to anyone in the structure.

As an insulator, asbestos is used to reduce heat transfer in heating tanks and HVAC ducts. It is superb for wrapping pipes, blanketing large areas and even mixed with cement. Water does not cause harm in these uses, but fire and storm winds can tear or break it, releasing material into the air.
Our technicians first examine to see if removal is required. Paints that have a layer of smoke residue can be wiped down or cleaned and left in place. Asbestos blankets and wraps that are intact remain in situ. If we find building material that is damaged, then our response team dons masks with asbestos filters and perhaps even breathing gear if they determine the amount of released asbestos to be a significant enough problem.

Next, we physically remove every piece of damaged material that contains asbestos. We dispose of it per local and state regulations. If there is asbestos dust or other small pieces, we use vacuums with special HEPA filters to catch the circulating debris

Removing asbestos is time-consuming, but a necessary process. In many cases, SERVPRO of Idaho Falls performs this task in conjunction with other restoration procedures, but we check every possible threat and remove it if needed. If you suspect that you may have an asbestos issue, call us today at (208) 523-5365. We are here to help.