Asbestos used to be one of the most popular construction materials. It has some desirable properties such as thermal resistance and durability that makes it a good material for various uses like roofing, plumbing, and in electronics.
However, these days it is rarely used for structural constructions because of the negative side-effects that it has on human health. When it breaks down it releases toxic fibers and dust particles that can cause debilitating diseases when they find their way into the human body.
Thus, most people are opting for other products that do not pose health risks. Others who are leaving in buildings that have asbestos are advised to acquire removal services. Checkout this link for more information bdssasbestosremoval.com.au.
What does it entail?
In simple terms, it is the act of doing away with exposed asbestos materials to avoid the harmful repercussions. This, however, involves more than just removing it.
The waste products have to be disposed in a safe manner without contaminating the environment. The exposed item can also be covered by another material instead of removing it. This is called encapsulation and can help reduce the total cost of the work done.
The job is not only cumbersome, but it is also very risky hence should only be done by qualified professionals. As a homeowner you should not try to do it by yourself. You risk causing harm to yourself and those in your surroundings.
Why is it risky?
Asbestos particles are lethal and are known to cause illnesses like asbestosis and a variety of cancers. This happens when the victim inhales or ingests the fibers or dust released when the structure breaks down or gets exposed.
That is why the removal process has stringent measures that must be followed to the latter to ensure safety. For example, access to the workplace must be restricted and only the workers having authorization should be allowed in.
Afterwards, the removed substance is kept in airtight containers to prevent them from escaping into the air. They then get transported to the reserved places for proper disposal.
What to consider to ensure that you choose the right company
Picking the right company will guarantee you safety and good results. Therefore, you have to take your time and analyze the various options that are available. Here are some of the things that you should take into account.
- Services offered
You should make sure that the services being provided are in line with your requirements. Since there are different steps involved in the whole process there is a variety of services.
Depending on the company they can either be specializing in particular services or cover the whole procedure.
For instance, some only do removal and disposal while others include additional services like encapsulation. They should be able to effectively eliminate the threat of exposure.
- Qualification
Make sure that the contractor that you choose is well qualified to do the job. They must have undergone the relevant training and acquired the necessary certifications.
Otherwise, they won’t be able to guarantee your safety and will also end up doing a shoddy job. Ask them how they plan to prepare for the task and the measures that will be put in place to ensure things run smoothly.
Their methods should be in line with the standard rules and regulations. Vast experience is an added advantage. The more experienced they are the better they are able to do their job.
They should also have a valid license to show you that they are registered and are operating legally. In case of an incident, they can be held accountable.
- Reputation
In any line of business reputation matters a great deal. You can’t afford to trust someone that has a poor work reputation with such a risky job.
Thus, you should do a thorough background check on the contract to find out how they have fared in the previous jobs that they were entrusted with.
You can also get more information by going through the online reviews written by their customers. A good reputation tells you that they are professionals and can be trusted to complete the work to satisfaction. The opposite is true for a bad one.
- Insurance
You should ensure that the contractor has a full insurance cover. Some companies insure their employees while others require that everyone get their own. Accidents occur at the workplace from time to time.
A worker might get injured by the work equipment or they might get exposed and end up developing complications.
Based on the policies of the insurance they will have the medical bills taken care of and the victim can get additional compensation fee that is dependent on the extent of damage.
The insurance cover ensures that you are not held liable when such incidents occur. Click here to read more about the benefits of having an insurance cover.
- Price
Considering all the work involved and the high level of risk the amount charged can get quite high. This is usually the case, especially, when there is replacement of items involved.
It can go up to thousands of dollars. The job requires different kinds of skills and services hence several different experts are involved. Still, one can opt for techniques like encapsulation to reduce on the total cost.
You can also compare several companies to find out the one that is most affordable and can still do the job effectively. Ask for personal recommendations from your friends and colleagues.
Conclusion
Asbestos makes for a good manufacturing product but it is a hazardous substance. One should avoid exposure to it at all cost. If you see any damaged or exposed asbestos product you should quickly call the experts to come and remove or repair it. Trying to handle it yourself can result in you hurting yourself and the people around you. Be keen while hiring a removal contractor to ensure that you pick the best. Failure to do so might result in you wasting your money on incompetent people. Consider the factors above to help you make the right decision.