Is it making you sick to be at home? If you have a persistent dry cough, difficulty breathing, or pain in your chest that won’t go away, you may have been exposed to asbestos for a long time.

Asbestos is a common building element in residences built between 1900 and 1980. It’s found in shingles, attic insulation, and floor tiles, among other things. Residents and business owners are exposed to a significant health risk when an asbestos-containing structure is in poor condition.

If you believe your house has asbestos, you should get it checked properly by a trained asbestos abatement company.

Who Are Asbestos Professionals and What Can They Do?

There are two different kinds of accredited asbestos professionals you can hire to handle asbestos-containing material:

Asbestos Inspectors

These people can look over a house or a building, assess the situation, collect samples of questionable materials for testing, and provide recommendations on what needs to be done. Suppose repair or removal of asbestos materials is chosen. In that case, inspectors can confirm that the corrective-action contractor followed the proper procedures, including thorough cleanup and monitoring, to ensure that asbestos fibers do not increase.

Asbestos Contractors

These experts can repair or remove asbestos-containing materials.

Although federal law does not mandate training and accreditation for anyone who examines, repairs, or removes asbestos-containing items in detached single-family houses, certain states and cities do. For their protection, homeowners should hire professionals who have been trained and accredited to handle asbestos.

Why Should Homeowners Hire a licensed Asbestos Company?

Because of legislation, product bans, and safer substitutes, the usage of asbestos has decreased. On the other hand, the general people may still be exposed to asbestos through old products and materials. Asbestos-containing items may be disturbed during restoration or demolition.

If building materials become old or cracked, homeowners and workers should contact a licensed asbestos company. Asbestos-containing products in good working order and that have not been damaged are typically deemed safe. However, homeowners should monitor these materials for signs of wear or other damage.

The general public needs to have an asbestos abatement company assess the situation. Abatement experts can execute an asbestos encapsulation or remove the asbestos if required.

Before You Hire an Asbestos Professional

• Asbestos experts hired to examine the need for asbestos repair or removal should not be linked with an asbestos company that does the actual repair or removal of materials. It is recommended to hire two different firms to avoid a conflict of interest.
• Request proof of completion of federal or state-approved asbestos training from asbestos professionals. Each worker should be able to show documentation of their asbestos-related certification.
• Consult your local air pollution control board, the local organization in charge of worker safety, and the Better Business Bureau to see how your asbestos professional has performed in the past. Inquire if there are legal actions filed against it.

Tips to Hire an Asbestos Removal Company

• Companies that remove asbestos are not all the same. Some companies focus solely on asbestos removal, while others include environmental services, demolition services, and general contracting services that may consist of asbestos removal.
• Asbestos abatement restrictions differ from state to city within the United States, and some go beyond the federal requirements that require OSHA and EPA licenses.
• The use of a licensed asbestos company is not necessary by law, but it is strongly advised. Verify an asbestos abatement company’s certifications before engaging them. 

Final thoughts

While removing asbestos from any residential, business, or public structure, hiring a licensed professional asbestos firm instead of doing it yourself is the wisest and safest choice. To keep yourself and others safe from asbestos exposure, asbestos abatement companies will correctly test for the deadly material, follow strict regulations and processes, and carry the appropriate removal equipment.