Cleaning up after tenants

Unfortunately, asbestos is present in many older homes and buildings. Asbestos removal can be a difficult process to handle, so it's important to know what to expect before hiring a professional. In this post, you will learn five things you need to know about asbestos and its removal. Read on to discover more!

1. What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral that was once mined and used in thousands of consumer products. It looks like silvery, shiny fibres that are tightly packed together, making it flexible enough to use in insulation, ceiling tiles, cement shingles, ironing board covers and much more! You can find Asbestos-containing building materials in older homes. However, what you'll probably find in your home is not raw asbestos, but rather asbestos-containing products (ACPs). These include:

• Bricks
• Cement
• Insulation
• Fireproofing
• Floor Tiles
• Cladding

2. The health risks associated with asbestos

Asbestos is dangerous and can pose a number of very serious health risks, so it's essential to stay away from it as much as possible. Some of the risks include:

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs when asbestos fibres get into your lungs. The most common symptoms include chest pain, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and increased abdominal size. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for this illness. However, treatments are available that may help you better manage the symptoms.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a respiratory disease that damages your lungs, making breathing difficult. It is usually irreversible and can be permanent once contracted. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a dry cough, loss of appetite, pain in the chest area and reduced exercise tolerance.

3. How do you go about having asbestos removed?

If you suspect that there may be asbestos in your home, it's important to know what to expect during the removal process. For starters, only certain professionals can handle this task. If you hire someone without special training or certification, they may not know how to remove materials safely and appropriately. This puts them at risk of inhaling harmful fibres that can ultimately lead to serious health problems.

As you can see, breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious health risks, so it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to this potentially dangerous substance. If you would like to find out more about asbestos, contact a company that offers to remove this substance from residential properties. A member of the team will be happy to help. Reach out to an asbestos removal service to learn more.