Asbestos is a general term used to describe several naturally occurring materials that have long, thin crystal fibers. Asbestos boasts numerous desirable qualities, including impeccable resistance to flame, heat, chemicals, and electricity. Because of these qualities, many industries used asbestos not only to strengthen but to insulate and fireproof their products.
When and Where Was Asbestos Used in Australia?
Australia has a very long, drawn-out history with the importation, handling, mining, and use of asbestos materials. In Melbourne, Australia, asbestos was an extensively used material between the 1950s and 1990s. manufacturers started adding asbestos to construction, industrial as well as household products. As a result, this harmful product became a very common ingredient in bricks, cement, roofing materials, heating system insulation, brake pads, gaskets, and thousands of other products.
To be more precise, asbestos cement materials were first manufactured in Australia in the 1920s and were extensively used in the manufacture of both commercial and residential construction materials until the late 1990s.
When Was the Use of Asbestos in Australia Banned?
From 31st Dec 2003, the Australian government imposed a total ban on the manufacture, use, reuse, importation, transport, sale, or storage of all forms of asbestos.
Of course, this was after health professionals established increasing evidence that inhaling airborne asbestos can potentially cause a broad range of serious lung conditions, including several types of cancers. It is imperative to note that the eventual ban on asbestos as well as asbestos products was consequential on the significant health effects it left on people who previously handled or worked in the presence of asbestos. However, despite the eventual asbestos ban, the city of Melbourne, and Australia in general, is still plagued with a substantial asbestos legacy.
How Can I Tell Whether There is Asbestos in My Home or Not?
As a rule of thumb, if your property or residential home before the mid-1980s, there are high chances that it features asbestos-containing materials or products. However, it is important to note that some properties built during the 1980s and early 2000s may still feature asbestos materials. Of course, this is because the total ban on any activity involving asbestos became effective in 2003.
Asbestos materials are categorized into two groups; friable and non-friable. Non-friable asbestos products are essentially those mixed with other materials to offer the overall product with the asbestos beneficial properties. The most common sources of non-friable asbestos materials include roofing sheets, exterior and interior wall cladding, fencing, flue or water pipes, eaves, thermal boards around fireplaces, shingles, and siding.
What are Raw Asbestos Materials that Can Be Exposed?
On the other hand, friable are raw asbestos materials that are easily exposed and released into the air. To be more precise, below is a list of friable asbestos materials that can be found on residential properties:
- Carpet underlay.
- Heat resistant fabric.
- Plaster and brick sealants.
- Low-density asbestos fiberboard.
- Soundproofing or spray-on insulation.
- Textured paints and decorative ceiling coatings.
- Insulation on hot water pipes, stoves, and heaters.
- Backing material on vinyl flooring and floor tiles.
- Worn out, damaged, or aged asbestos materials.
It is of great importance to understand that friable asbestos materials are the most dangerous asbestos materials. Perhaps this is because the raw, small, airborne fibers are incredibly dangerous when inhaled. The more friable asbestos material is, the more potential it has to cause serious health concerns.
Can I Remove Asbestos from My Property Myself?
Because of the serious health implications of asbestos, there is an urgent need to regulate procedures involving the safe management, removal, disposal, and subsequent remediation of asbestos-contaminated products. Furthermore, as both the awareness and incidence of asbestos-related diseases have significantly increased, and as numerous asbestos-filled materials begin to deteriorate, it is essential for homeowners to know and understand the best practices concerning the removal and management of asbestos.
Unless you are removing less than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos, you must have the necessary licensure to remove and handle asbestos. However, even if you are handling less than this amount of non-friable asbestos, it is still highly recommended you engage a licensed, qualified, and highly experienced asbestos removalists because the risk of asbestos exposure is incredibly high.
How to Contact a Professional Asbestos Removal Company?
In this regard, if there is asbestos in your residential or property, you should act first and contact experienced and qualified asbestos removalists, such as those at Phase One Asbestos experts! Checking on their customer testimonials in Google My Business can certainly help you decide.
How Does Asbestos Become a Health Risk?
The problem with asbestos stem from its brittle nature. Its small fibers can quickly become airborne. When disturbed, one can easily inhale or ingest these fibers. Consequently, these fibers will ultimately find their way into the tissue linings of various organs in your body. And once they become stuck, they cause significant damage to your body tissues.
Because of the potential dangers associated with the handling of asbestos, no homeowner should even think of removing asbestos from their homes themselves. As you already, this is not only a tedious and intimidating task, but an extremely dangerous job as well. Essentially, any asbestos Melbourne asbestos removal service should be conducted by professionals. Also, by licensed and certified asbestos removal companies such as Phase One Asbestos removal Melbourne.
So, How Fast Will Asbestos Be Removed from My Property?
Without a doubt, asbestos removal in Melbourne is an ongoing process that occurs daily. And this simply implies that homeowners should not expect that the asbestos removal will take only a day or two. To be more precise, it can take many days, especially when it involves commercial property. Because the area is basically larger, those working in such an area are many, so it’s important to manage things safely.
With over two decades of experience in the asbestos removal industry in Melbourne, the asbestos removal experts at Phase One are arguably the most trustworthy, knowledgeable, safe, and professional asbestos removalists you can ever find in Melbourne. Furthermore, they specialize in a wide range of asbestos removal in residential homes, commercial, and industrial properties across Melbourne. They are not only passionate about their asbestos removal job, but also strive to ensure the everyday well-being of Melbourne residents. What’s more, they pride themselves on keeping their asbestos removal professionals up-to-date with all the training needed to help abide by the strict OH&S regulations.
Who is the Best Asbestos Removal Company in Melbourne?
Besides, their asbestos removal crew boasts the necessary skills and knowledge needed to service busy commercial premises as well as close-knit households. Also, they are more than equipped to undertake a range of asbestos-related emergencies.
As earlier mentioned, asbestos is a very dangerous material. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unknowingly putting their health in danger by attempting Do-It-Yourself home improvement projects. Because you simply don’t want to contract any asbestos-induced diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, or any other serious illness, rely on the expertise and the knowledge of Phase One asbestos removal company’s qualified asbestos removal professionals to help you safely remove asbestos from your property. As the best asbestos removal professionals in Melbourne, these professionals only want to ensure your environment is clean and free of health hazards.
In essence, it is their primary objective to ensure your safety and that of your family. They not only remove asbestos safely, but also take the necessary measures to ensure the gets done correctly and perfectly. What’s more, they know how and where to dispose of it as well. Simply put, they have what it takes to ensure your home or business premise becomes asbestos-free. Typically, they focus on safeguarding the safety and health of you and your family. Of course, the company complies with all the necessary Federal Healthcare guidelines.
How is Asbestos Removed?
As previously noted, you should only hire an asbestos removal company that has the experience and the required knowledge to safely remove asbestos from your property. What’s more, you have to ensure the company boasts the required equipment that enables them to carry out the process perfectly. Essentially, the professionals at Phase One Asbestos Melbourne asbestos removal company usually wear full-body gloves, overall, as well as P2 half-face respirators during the process. Besides, they will wet down all the affected areas within your building before the actual removal and during the process.
Furthermore, they use highly effective plastic drop sheets in all their asbestos removal process. Accordingly, this is to help minimize the spread of excess debris and fibers. Additionally, we cover all the heater ducts, air vents as well as doors and windows. In general, this is to ensure the asbestos fibers can’t easily escape from the affected areas.
Consequently, once the process is done and completed, they will eventually decontaminate the area thanks to the help of their state-of-the-art HEPA vacuum cleaning devices. Thereafter, they will also wet and wipe the area using their highly efficient dust-collecting alcohol wipes. Finally, they will wrap the asbestos in 200micron plastic. These professionals will then put it inside EPA-registered skip bins and vehicles.
Only Trained Experts Can Remove Asbestos
As we have repeatedly mentioned, you should never attempt to remove asbestos from your property on your own! This is because asbestos removal in Melbourne is not only a daunting and extremely challenging task, but also exposes you to a host of health problems. Furthermore, the entire process can prove expensive.
For instance, disposal fees can be very strict and costly as well. Fortunately, you can rely on experts’ experience, knowledge, and technical know-how to help you identify, remove, and dispose of asbestos. Don’t put your health at risk! You can trust the expertise and knowledge of the professionals like Phase One Asbestos removal Melbourne crew to help you safely and easily remove asbestos from your home or property!
