Is the asbestos in my home dangerous? How much will it cost to remove it?
Asbestos is dangerous when it becomes airborne. These tiny particles can cause cancer if human beings inhale it. Asbestos abatement costs can vary extensively depending upon the area and size of the portion to be abated. For example, a 10 foot portion of asbestos pipe insulation can be made asbestos free by paying approximately $500.
There are some contractors who charge a minimum fee of around $2000 without taking into account the area that has to be made asbestos free. No matter how small the area might be, they will charge the same amount. The cost of asbestos abatement of a whole house, including the ceilings, walls, floors, roof, pipes can be as high as thirty thousand dollars.
Lets tour some frequently asked questions to understand more about asbestos.
What exactly is asbestos?
Asbestos refers to tiny, microscopic, spontaneously occurring fibers of silicate minerals. These silicate minerals have been used for ages as a building material in the construction of houses. The construction industry has been using this material for many years. The 3 most commonly occurring types of asbestos are as follows:
* Amosite * Chrysotile * Crocidolite
Why was asbestos used as it eventually turned out to be a dangerous material?
Asbestos has great strength. The fibers are heat resistant and prove to be effective building material. This is why asbestos was used as an important building material. It was used in fireproofing, insulation, flooring, roofing etc. Why is this material banned?
Asbestos is a cancerous, toxic material. If left untouched, asbestos poses no harm. But when this substance is damaged, it leads to the releasing of fibers in air. These tiny particles when inhaled can cause serious health risks.
What are the health risks caused due to asbestos exposure?
There are no safe levels of asbestos exposure that have been established. With long exposures to asbestos, you can suffer from serious health problems. These ailments include mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. All these are fatal diseases. The main drawback is that there are no immediate symptoms caused due to asbestos exposure. In the long run, serious health risks can be caused due to over exposure.
What should be done to eradicate asbestos?
Begin abatement of asbestos by proper checking. The checking should be done by an independent inspector.
What are the costs like?
The checking fee can range between $400 to $800 for a 1,500 sq. ft. area. These costs will include lab fees and inspection charges. If re-inspection is done at the end of the project, it can cost anywhere between $200 to $400 Further, if the lab work is performed separately, then it can cost up to $50.
With professionals to facilitate abatement of asbestos from your premises you can enjoy a healthy, risk-free life.