There was a time before the 1970's when asbestos was widely used in various applications such as ceiling tiles, insulation, roofing materials and floor tiles. Almost all commercial and residential buildings had some kind of material that contained asbestos in it. However, things changed when asbestos was confirmed to be harmful and even deadly to humans if its fibres were inhaled. Since then, various governments have passed regulations which regulate asbestos removal and asbestos disposal.
Your building might have asbestos!
Because asbestos was a widely used product in the construction industry, it's possible that buildings that are in existence now may have this material, especially older buildings. If you suspect that your building might have asbestos, you should not be alarmed. This is because when asbestos is in good condition it usually does not pose any hazard to humans. On the other hand, if the asbestos tiles or roofing are starting to get worn out and damages then this poses a great health risk to the inhabitants of the home.
When asbestos begins to break, some of its fibres can flake off and be released into the air. Therefore, if anyone in the vicinity breathes in these toxic fibres, they can imbed themselves in to the chest causing one to develop a serious condition known as mesothelioma or asbestosis. It may take several years before this disease manifests. So, when you suspect that your building may have compromised asbestos materials, it's best to contact asbestos services to inspect your property and determine the best action to take.
Asbestos removal and disposal
Protective wear such as gloves, disposable clothing, booties and protective eyewear are some of the essential items worn by anyone handling asbestos. A special glue is sprayed on the asbestos material prior to removal to prevent the material from easily breaking and to encapsulate the fibres. The material is then carefully removed and placed in designated disposable bags and sealed completely. Then the asbestos materials are carefully transported to a designated landfill.
Is a professional really necessary?
Well, given the danger posed by asbestos it is best to leave asbestos handling and asbestos disposal in the capable hands of a well-trained and licensed asbestos abatement professional. These professionals have the skill and knowledge to remove, handle and dispose asbestos in a safe manner. DIY (Do It Yourself) projects when dealing with asbestos are not recommended, due to the harm you could be exposing yourself to and others around you.
Moving from New Zealand to Australia is more life-changing that you may think. It never entered my mind that starting over in Australia would present challenges when it came to finding a new place to live. I have filled this blog with informative advice about renting and buying a home in Oz you are a newly arrived immigrant. I want to share information about how to convince rental agencies you are a viable tenant. I also want to share details on what you need to do to make yourself look attractive to a mortgage lender. This advice will help you get on the right path to a new home the moment you step off the plane.