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Proper asbestos abatement in the commercial and industrial markets is of utmost importance for several critical reasons, primarily centered around the safety of your property, the well-being of all involved, and ensuring compliance with all federal regulations.

In addition, selecting the right asbestos abatement contractor for your property is crucial for ensuring the safe and effective removal of asbestos-containing materials that will allow you to move forward with your project in a timely manner.  Asbestos abatement is a highly specialized and regulated field, so it is essential to choose a contractor who is qualified and experienced in handling various scenarios of abatement that can be complex, intricate, hold historical value, large-scale, or require security clearances.

First, let’s understand – What is Asbestos?  And what are Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM)?

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Known for its thermal and durability properties, asbestos was commonly used until the mid-1970s. Asbestos can be found in various yet common everyday materials and can drastically impact the air quality of the surrounding space. An estimated 3,000 products that contain asbestos have been manufactured, and even today, there are some products being manufactured with asbestos-containing materials.

Several asbestos-containing materials can be found in the buildings where we live and work every day.  Common Asbestos-Containing Materials include:

• Ceiling Tiles
• Flooring Tiles
• Roof Shingles
• Exterior Siding
• Cement Products
• Caulking
• Drywall & Joint Compound
• Heat-Resistant Fabrics
• Acoustic Materials
• Pipe Insulation
• Spray Applied Fireproofing
• Transite Pipe
• Coal Tar Pipe

Whether a single utility needs encapsulation or an entire building requires restoration or demolition, it is extremely important to partner with a licensed asbestos abatement contractor who can make abatement decisions that comply with all local, state, and federal regulations. In addition, your contractor should have the experience and know-how to project and solve challenges that may arise before, during, and after abatement. Identifying potential challenges now will help with all other aspects of your project in the long run, helping to keep your project on schedule and budget.

How do you find a Reputable Licensed Asbestos Abatement Contractor?

Finding a reputable asbestos abatement contractor requires careful research and due diligence to ensure three very important components of the abatement process are handled appropriately: safety, compliance, and proper disposal. As mentioned, if you partner with an asbestos abatement contractor who can provide guidance on potential project challenges that arise before and after the asbestos abatement process, the more likely other related components of your project will go smoothly.

Here are some tips to help find the best asbestos abatement contractor for your project.

• Go to the source. Contact your state’s environmental or health department, as well as the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to obtain information on licensed asbestos abatement contractors. These agencies can also provide guidance on asbestos regulations in your area. Here, you will find EPA contacts by state that can assist.
• Confirm the contractor holds the necessary licenses and certifications required in your jurisdiction for asbestos abatement. This includes the handling, removal, and disposal of the material, all of which may require licenses or certifications. Expired or non-existent licenses can result in project delays, increased costs, legal repercussions, and penalties to both the contractor and the property owner.
• Safety first. Ask for safety records and safety measures that will be taken to ensure the health and safety of everyone occupying your property during and after the asbestos abatement project.
• Assess the contractor’s experience. Ask about the history of the company, years in business, descriptions of recent projects, and customer references. Also, check online reviews and testimonials.
• Always ask for documentation. Valid contractor licenses, insurance, safety records, certificates of disposal, and more are crucial when selecting your asbestos abatement contractor.
• Discuss the abatement process with the contractor. Proper abatement not only removes or encapsulates asbestos but also prevents its reemergence, ensuring the long-term safety of a building and its occupants. It also helps in maintaining the property’s value.
• Inquire about the contractor’s disposal methods for ACM. Proper disposal should be followed in coordination with a permitted disposal facility. Improper disposal of ACM can contaminate local soil and waterways.

At the end of the day, working with a qualified asbestos abatement contractor who can provide an end-to-end asbestos abatement solution for your project is essential for safeguarding human health, complying with regulations, ensuring worker safety, preventing contamination, preserving property value, and minimizing environmental impact. The hard work you put into finding a qualified asbestos abatement contractor now will turn into a trusted partnership that creates healthy, clean environments for our communities to thrive in for years, if not generations, to come.

If you’d like to learn more about asbestos abatement solutions, contact us today, and let’s start your project off right with health, safety, and compliance first.