Is it safe to be around asbestos abatement?
Asbestos abatement is designed to be safe for the people around it when it is done properly, with the work area sealed, air filtered and waste handled in sealed bags. You should stay out of the work area, and in some cases stay elsewhere. A clearance check confirms the area is clean afterwards.
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How controls protect the rest of the house
Controlled removal works because it stops dust from leaving the work area. The room is sealed with heavy plastic, the air inside is pulled through HEPA filters so it flows toward the work area, and workers wear protective equipment. Material is kept wet to keep fibres from becoming airborne, then bagged and sealed.
That means people in the rest of the home are not exposed, provided the containment holds. The key is a crew that follows the rules and checks its barriers as the job runs.
What happens during abatement
- Sealing the area.Plastic barriers, taped joints and a decontamination zone.
- Negative air.Filtered machines hold the work area at lower pressure.
- Wet removal.Material is wetted, removed in sections and double bagged.
- Cleaning.Surfaces are wet wiped and HEPA vacuumed.
- Clearance.The area is checked before barriers come down.
Should you stay home?
For a small, well contained job in one room, people can often stay in other parts of the house, away from the work. For larger work, or where the system shares air or the layout is open, staying elsewhere for a short time is more comfortable and careful. We tell you what we recommend when we scope the job. Our abatement page describes our process in more detail, and our costs explained page explains what shapes the price.
What you should do while the work is going on
- Keep out of the work area and the decontamination zone
- Keep children and pets away
- Do not open the barriers to look
- Leave the heating and cooling system settings as agreed with the crew
- Ask the crew about anything that does not look right
Neighbours and shared buildings
In a semi-detached, townhouse or condo, work can be arranged so that shared walls and common areas are protected. Tell neighbours or the property manager when the work will take place, and ask the crew about how they handle access, waste carry-out and clearance. A responsible team plans the route out of the building as carefully as the work inside it.
Related questions
Can I stay while the work is going on?
Often yes in unaffected areas, and we tell you when it is better to be away.
Do you test the air afterwards?
We check that the area is clean before the barriers come down, and we explain the options.
Is the assessment free?
Yes. We then give you a written scope and price.
Request a quote
Tell us what you need and we will get back to you. In a hurry? Calling is fastest.
Call about asbestos abatement
Call us any day. The assessment is free, and you get a written scope and price before any work begins.
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