Asbestos Removal - When You Can DIY and When Do You Require a Professional?

Asbestos removal is something which arises in many renovation projects, demolition projects and even small projects where you didn't expect to locate any! Then when would you DIY, and when do you really need to call in the professionals?

What's the logic behind licensing?

Usually, asbestos disposal vancouver licensing logic is governed by the rule that when you're interacting with municipal, state or federal infrastructure you will need a licence. But licensing for asbestos-containing material (ACM) removal includes a different logic. Asbestos is scary stuff and handling it or being on experience of it can severely damage your health. And rightfully so, the us government puts restrictions on when you're able to and can't remove asbestos for the safety.

But with asbestos, you can find varying levels of danger, so there are also varying licence requirements.

But how have you any idea whether the work needs an authorized professional or not?

An over-all guideline is that their state of the asbestos dictates whether you will need a licence or not. If it's friable or bonded, it's a lot more dangerous, and that's usually each time a licence requirement kicks in. Large amounts also indicate the necessity for a professional with a licence.
Licence requirements vary

Every state has different requirements for the safe removal of asbestos-containing material (ACM). When looking at the regulations around asbestos removal, most state regulators have different requirements for either bonded or friable asbestos-containing materials. So what're they?
Asbestos-containing materials belong to two broad categories: bonded and friable.

'Bonded'asbestos-containing materials

'Bonded'describes asbestos-containing materials (ACM) where in actuality the asbestos is firmly interwoven in the material. They're not likely to produce airborne fibres if they're not disturbed and so pose a lower health risk.

Samples of bonded ACM:

flat and corrugated cement sheeting used in walls, ceilings and roofs

moulded items such as downpipes

vinyl floor coverings.

'Friable'asbestos-containing materials

'Friable'describes asbestos-containing materials (ACM) that can be easily reduced to powder yourself, when dry. They're likely release a measurable quantities of airborne asbestos fibres when disturbed, and generally pose a higher health risk

Types of friable ACM

sprayed asbestos fire retardants

thermal lagging, such as for example pipe insulation.