How To Tell If Your Business Has Asbestos

Business Blog

Asbestos is a material that was used for decades in all levels of construction. From roof tiles to insulation, asbestos was present in nearly every level of buildings. While asbestos was certainly used in residential buildings, it was used in far bigger quantities in commercial properties. If you have just bought an older business and are looking to renovate, or if you are just curious about whether your building has asbestos, then you should consider an inspection. Commercial asbestos removal could end up saving your life, so here are a few tips to find out if you need it or not.

Age Of Property

If your property was built within the last 20 or so years, then the chances of it having asbestos in it are minimal. Asbestos has been slowly phased out since the 1990s, and while it is not outright banned, it is rarely used in a friable state anymore. If your building is older than that, then there is a pretty good probability that it does contain one form of asbestos or another. The important thing is to find out if that asbestos is, as previously mentioned, friable or bonded because one is a lot more dangerous than the other.

Knowing The Difference Between Friable And Bonded Asbestos

The qualities of asbestos are useful in both a raw form and as part of a mixture in other materials. For example, as insulation, asbestos was often kept in raw sheets that were then strung up in walls and on the floor of your attic. This raw form of asbestos is known as friable asbestos and is far more dangerous because the particles get in the air extremely easy, which is the true danger of asbestos to humans. Bonded asbestos is when the material is mixed in with other stuff and kept intact, such as in plastics or asphalt or anything. Roofing can be made of bonded asbestos. This asbestos is less dangerous but can be still lethal if it is broken up and the particles released.

Commercial Asbestos Removal

Other than the age of the property, there is really no way to tell for sure without an inspection. Commercial asbestos removal companies have the resources to do a quick once over and then, if needed, take out all the asbestos affected materials as quickly as possible. Never try to remove asbestos on your own, even if you use a mask, as the odds of disturbed asbestos remaining in the air is very high. Get an expert to come and have a look and do it safely! Your lungs will thank you when you get older. 

Share

12 February 2021

Storage Facilities: Finding the Right One

For a brief time, I found myself between houses. This came about when I sold my old one but the home I was having built was not quite ready. Since the buyers wanted in, I had to place most of my belongings in a self-storage facility. Fortunately, I found one that had everything that I needed. The facility had around the clock security and units that were the right size for my needs. There was even air conditioning to keep my stored items safe from the heat. If you need storage space for a short time, there are specific features you want. Stick with me and you will know what questions to ask before you make any type of commitment to a storage company.