The Technical Guidelines For Working With Asbestos And Water Damage In New Milford

1/25/2017 (Permalink)

The thing to remember is that asbestos only poses a threat when the particles are disturbed.

Asbestos And Water Damage

You might already know a little about the drying process which water damage experts carry out after flooding, leaks, and other domestic emergencies. Usually, the aim is to employ high powered equipment in a way which removes excess water as quickly as possible. What do you do if the water damaged area contains a toxic material?

What if this material is asbestos? Most property owners know that asbestos is extremely toxic if its particles enter the lungs. It used to be a very popular building material back in the sixties and seventies, but this was before people understood the dangers. It has now been banned in scores of countries, but the SERVPRO team do still encounter it when repairing water damage in New Milford, particularly in older properties.

If you live in an older home, there is a chance that it may contain asbestos. When this material gets wet, it can make water damage restoration rather tricky, but there are still plenty of ways that SERVPRO can help.

No Immediate Danger
The thing to remember is that asbestos only poses a threat when the particles are disturbed. People live with it under their carpets and in their walls for decades, and they stay safe because the material is stable. The problem with water damage is that the force of leaks and burst mains can be quite intense. It has the potential to dislodge the asbestos particles.

Testing And Verification
If the SERVPRO team encounters what they believe might be asbestos, while working on your water damage repairs, they will follow EPA and NESHAP regulations. This usually means establishing a containment perimeter around the material, so that harmful particles cannot be spread throughout the house. A sample of the material will be sent to a licensed asbestos inspector. If it comes back positive, the technicians will then defer to the advice of an asbestos abatement specialist. It is likely that safe removal of the material will significantly extend the timeframe for repairs, but it is crucial that the toxic substance is neutralized first.

Working Together To Get Results
The law states that an abatement specialist must be onsite to oversee the handling of asbestos materials. All water damaged components will need to be removed and disposed of according to local regulations. This might include pieces of tank insulation, duct insulation, textured ceiling panels, subflooring, drywall, mastics, sheetrock, and window glazing compounds. Once the danger has been neutralized, the team can get back to finishing the drying process and restoring your residential property to its original condition. You may be required to steer clear of the affected area for a little while longer, just until the technicians are sure that the air is clean and all traces of toxic particles have been eliminated.

Water damage can be a stressful thing for homeowners to have to deal with and the identification of asbestos complicates the process. There are plenty of ways to tackle the challenge and bring your property back to life. SERVPRO of Teaneck / Englewood is here to help you find a simple solution. Call us 24//7 at (201) 266-0482.