The Importance Of An Asbestos Survey Before Renovations

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction materials in the past. However, asbestos fibres can be harmful to your health if inhaled, and it is important to identify and remove any asbestos before any renovation or demolition work is done, especially on older buildings (but you should always be careful on modern buildings too). An asbestos survey is a process of verifying the fibre's presence, finding its location, and then determining the condition of asbestos in a building. Here are a few of the reasons why it is vital that you book one before you commence any renovations and how the survey works.

The Dangers Of Asbestos

Asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, fibres can be released into the air and inhaled. This is why it is important to identify and remove asbestos before any renovation or demolition work is done. Most of the time people don't even know what asbestos looks like, so when they begin tearing down old walls, they think nothing of it until much later on in life when they can get bad news from a medical check-up.

How An Asbestos Survey Works

An asbestos survey is typically conducted by an accredited company that pretty much only specializes in hazardous waste removal, specifically asbestos. The surveyor will inspect the property and take samples of materials that may contain asbestos, which can be anything from insulation to tiling. The samples are then analyzed in a laboratory to confirm the presence of asbestos. The surveyor will also provide a report detailing the location, condition, and type of asbestos found in the building so that nothing is left to chance should a positive reading come back and action needs to be taken.

Legal Requirements

In some instances, depending on how old the building is, what you are using it for and so on, you may be legally required to conduct an asbestos survey before you complete any renovations. It is also a good idea, if you are thinking of buying a new property, to utilize pre-purchase asbestos building inspections as well. These two services can be legal requirements, and the last thing you want to do is to find yourself being fined for not following the correct processes. Make sure to always double-check the legal status of asbestos in your state.

Contact a professional for more information about asbestos surveys.