Asbestos Removal - How To Do It Yourself

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Many years ago, asbestos was a material that was used in building houses. But towards the late 1970s and 1980s, it was discovered that this material was the cause of many serious illnesses that people experienced. Governments across the globe banned the use of asbestos in buildings. The manufacture of this material was gradually phased out and it was removed from buildings which already had it.

Some people who have asbestos in their buildings argue that hiring an expert to remove it is quite expensive. They opt to do the job themselves. As long as you have the appropriate safety precautions in mind, you can remove up to 10 square metres of bonded asbestos. More than 10 square metres requires the expertise of a licensed removalist.

Here are guidelines on how to remove asbestos yourself:

1. Work Safely

Ensure that you wear the right Australian Standards approved Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These include a mask, a hat, a pair of gloves, overalls and safety goggles.

Never smoke, eat or drink at the site. This ensures that you don't inhale or swallow any asbestos dust. Thoroughly wash your hands and face using enough water and soap before you take your meals and when you are done working for the day.

Avoid using power tools as they can boost the release of fibres. Water blasting should also be avoided and if it happens accidentally, you should call an expert to continue with the task. Wet the area gently with enough water to prevent asbestos from becoming airborne.

Avoid drilling and cutting asbestos containing materials as the fibres may become airborne. Also avoid dropping the materials to minimize breakage.

2. Inform People

Let your family and neighbours know that you are removing a harmful substance. Cordon the affected area until the entire job is done including clean up. This will prevent spreading of harmful materials to unaffected areas.

3. Prepare The Area

Lay plastic sheets under the working area to avoid contaminating the ground.

Close all windows, doors and vents to prevent dust from getting into your house. Make sure to seal off areas that the dust can seep through like beneath doors.

Ensure that children's toys are not near the site.

4. Cleaning up

Dampen all asbestos containing materials and stack them cautiously in sealable plastic bags. Ensure that the bags are clearly labelled as toxic waste. Don't rub the materials against each other as this may cause the release of fibres.

Remove the materials from the site as soon as they are sealed and thoroughly clean up the area (ensure that the area is wet while cleaning).

5. Disposal

Never dispose waste in normal dustbins as this may cause further contamination.

Ensure that all asbestos containing materials are disposed of only in areas designated for such waste.

Asbestos removal is a dangerous and complicated task. It is important to note that such a removal process requires you to take a lot of precautionary measures. Above all, hiring a licensed and experienced removal contractor is recommended. Doing this assures you that the work will be carried out perfectly and disposal done correctly.

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