When you find asbestos in your floor tiles, wall insulation, or anywhere else during a home renovation, it’s wise to take action immediately. These harmful mineral fibers can build up in your lungs over time and increase the risk of developing health issues, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. If you’ve discovered asbestos in your home while renovating certain areas, follow the do’s and don'ts below to prevent the fibers from spreading. 

Do:

Stop working in the infested area.

After discovering asbestos, immediately stop working in the area. Shower and wash your hair immediately to get rid of any fibers or dust on your body. Also, even if you wore gloves after discovering the material, carefully clean your hands and fingernails. 

Close off the infested area. 

Stay away from the infested area, and tell everyone else in your household to do the same. Keep the doors to the area closed and locked to prevent children from entering, and place caution tape over the doors to further emphasize the dangers of asbestos.

Don’t: 

Let fibers spread through your home. 

After you’ve been exposed to asbestos, your clothes may contain harmful fibers. To prevent them from spreading through your home, immediately throw your clothes in the washer. Your shoes may also contain traces of the material, so clean and store them outdoors so they don’t contaminate your other shoes or personal items. Additionally, to prevent airborne fibers from escaping the infested room, place a protective plastic covering around the area. 

Try to clean the affected area yourself. 

Never attempt to vacuum, sweep, dust, or otherwise clean the affected area on your own, as you’ll further disturb the fibers and increase the infestation. Instead, turn to the professionals for removal. They’ll apply a wetting agent to the asbestos-ridden materials, which prevents loose fibers from becoming airborne, and then remove them with professional scraping equipment. They’ll keep the fibers contained in the room by using negative air machines and covering the walls and floor with polyplastic. 
 

Eradicate asbestos from your home by turning to Action Asbestos Removal in Montville, CT. For more than 25 years, the trusted team has thoroughly cleaned homes and businesses of all traces of asbestos. Since the material can be discovered during any time of the day, they provide 24-hour emergency removal. They also offer military and senior discounts. Learn more about their thorough services online and call (860) 848-2912 for a free estimate.