How to Remove Asbestos and Mold from Your Home
Mold and asbestos are lurking in homes across the country. They’re pervasive, and they pose a health risk to anyone in the home. When disturbed, they have microscopic pieces that can break loose and spread through the home or even be inhaled. It takes care to remove them safely, but it can be done.
Isolate the Work Site
Before you bring in trash bags and do any work in the affected area, you’ll want to isolate the site. Use plastic and tape to seal off air vents and return vents. Hang plastic over the door so that it will hang down and block this area when you’re working. This will prevent the spores or asbestos fibers from spreading through the home.
Get the Right Tools
To safely remove asbestos and mold, you need the right tools. A mask and goggles are necessary to keep the contaminants out of your eyes and lungs. Use heavy duty plastic bags to contain the debris and prevent it from spreading. You’ll also need scrapers, utility knife, and a water bottle. You’ll also want a disposable jumpsuit that you can dispose of to avoid breathing in the toxins when you do the wash later.
Stop the Spread with Moisture
A little moisture will go a long way to stop asbestos from flying through the air. Once you’re ready to begin the removal, spray a film of water over the mold or asbestos. Use the scraper to gently dislodge it from the surrounding area and deposit it in the trash bag. Before you work on removing any section, take a moment to spray it with water. When the bag is about two-thirds full, you should tie it up for removal.
Finishing the Job
Once the bulk of the contaminants are removed, the remaining area can be cleaned using a damp rag. In the case of mold, you should add a small amount of bleach to this water to kill any residual spores. If the mold had penetrated soft surfaces like fabric or drywall, then you may have to use your utility knife to cut out and remove the affected areas.
Before leaving the work-site, use a damp rag to clean the exterior of your bags. The protective gear you wore can be removed and put in the trash along with the plastic liners. Eye goggles can be washed, but disposable breathing masks should be thrown away. Call your local dump to find out if you have to label the bags or do anything special with disposal. Once the work site is dry, you’re ready to start working on repairs and moving forward.
You should also note that sometimes when it comes to abatement, that it might be safer to leave it to the professionals. It pays to be safe than sorry. If you have a mold or asbestos problem, don’t feel the need to do it all yourself. You can call and find any local mold removal service from Sacramento to New York City.