Dry cough, shortness of breath, weight loss- these are but a few symptoms that asbestos in your home can cause. Once you realize that there is asbestos in your home, you should work on getting rid of it right away. However, you need to know how to handle asbestos properly before doing anything with the dangerous product.
What are some dos and don’ts of asbestos cleanup that you should know about?
If you find asbestos in your home, it’s time to call to know about asbestos removal fort worth and to get the asbestos cleanup services right away. Here are some safety tips to help you deal with asbestos in your home!
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Why Properly Removing Asbestos is Important
Before you start messing with asbestos, it’s important that you understand the dangers of asbestos. Overexposure to asbestos can cause serious side effects. These side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Shortness of breath
- Crackling or wheezing sounds while breathing
- Dry cough
- Respiratory issues
- Thickening of liquid in the lungs
- Abdominal swelling
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- and much more
In extreme cases, exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestosis. This is a chronic condition that severely impacts the lungs. Asbestos particles cause scarring inside of the lungs, making breathing difficult and putting you at risk of developing lung cancer.
If you notice you or your loved ones displaying any of the above symptoms, then there may be asbestos in your home. Contact an asbestos inspector right away if you are unable to find the source. They can help make the process of cleaning up asbestos in your home easier and safer.
Signs of Asbestos in Your Home
Older homes were commonly made using asbestos as a form of insulation. This is due to its flame-retardant nature. Although health risks and deaths were noted early on as we began producing asbestos, the use of this deadly product continued.
If your home is older, it was likely built using asbestos. The best way to identify asbestos in your home is to have an inspector come in and take samples of different rooms.
Tears, abrasions, and water damage in sections of your home, especially your flooring, are good indicators that they were made using asbestos. Keep a close eye out for any of these signs and contact an inspector when in doubt.
Do: Leave Asbestos Materials Alone
It’s crucial that you restrict access to any materials containing asbestos the moment you notice them. The more contact you have with the room or materials containing asbestos, the worse your symptoms will become. Without proper safety equipment and training, you should avoid asbestos at all costs.
Do: Hire a Professional for Assistance with Asbestos Cleanup
Once you have noticed and isolated the asbestos in your home, contact a removal crew right away. HCI Environment is dedicated to removing asbestos from your home and keeping it safe for you and your family.
Do: Avoid Excessive Contact with Asbestos
You should try to avoid contact with any rooms containing asbestos as much as possible. Unfortunately, it may be impossible for you to avoid the room entirely. It’s important to take proper precautions before entering a room with asbestos.
Try to use personal protective equipment whenever using a room containing asbestos. Masks and air filters are helpful when handling asbestos. Make sure you limit whatever time you spend in or near the asbestos.
Do: Block Access to the Room from Children/Pets
If you have children or pets, it’s crucial that you keep the area locked down so that they can’t access it. They are especially susceptible to harmful side effects caused by asbestos. Always keep the area contained and locked if possible.
Do: Talk with Guests/Renters About Asbestos in the Home
Guests should always be made aware of dangerous substances when they enter your home. Inform them of any room(s) containing asbestos and how they can avoid contact.
If you are selling or renting a home, be open and honest about asbestos in the home. Any potential buyers or renters need to know that there are potentially dangerous substances around. That way, they can avoid contact with asbestos and keep themselves safe.
Don’t: Attempt to Remove Asbestos Alone
Without proper PPE and safety measures, you should not attempt to move or clean up asbestos. Once you start messing with the material, it can get into the air and cause serious harm. Even if you are protected at the moment, the asbestos particles can linger and cause harm later.
Make sure you contact a cleanup crew to take care of any asbestos in your home. They will know how to safely dispose of the material.
Don’t: Attempt to Alter Materials Containing Asbestos
Drilling, sawing, or sanding flooring or products containing asbestos will only cause the asbestos to get into the air. Make sure that you don’t attempt to alter anything that has asbestos in it.
Don’t: Dust, Sweep, or Mop Areas Containing Asbestos
Even sweeping a room with asbestos can have harmful side effects. Moving around debris can cause asbestos particles to filter through the air and get into your lungs.
The moment you realize a room has asbestos in it, leave it alone. Do not attempt to clean the area in any way. Leave that to the professionals!
Keep Your Home Asbestos-Free Now
Asbestos cleanup is a difficult process that should only be done by a professional. If you are concerned that there is asbestos in your home, call an asbestos cleanup crew for assistance right away!
Have you or someone you loved dealt with asbestos in your home? What did you do to solve the issue?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment down below with your experiences and share this article with your friends and family to teach them about asbestos cleanup today!
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