asbestos ceilings

[Donna Bowen]

We want to remove the asbestos ceilings in our home. How do we go about doing it ourselves?

I see you have had this question from other people but I can’t figure out how to see your response or answer to them.

Thank you. Donna

[tomh]

First, I assume you tested the materials to be sure you are dealing with asbestos and you understand the risks associated with asbestos removal and disposal. Legally, homeowners may remove asbestos from their residence and the removal is not regulated by either EPA or OSHA. You should however check with disposal companies to determine where asbestos wastes may be disposed.

Your first stop is to go to a safety supply store to buy respiratory protection, gloves and disposable tyvek suits. You should also purchase a supply of 6-mil asbestos waste disposal bags. You will need enough to contain all ACM wastes, including disposable suits, and plastic materials used to enclose the work area. It is highly recommended that you obtain a professional fit test for any respiratory protection devices you use, and that you determine you are physically fit to use them.

Proper and complete preparation of the work area is essential. You should obtain 6-mill plastic sheeting and completely enclose all areas to be removed. That means using sheeting, tape and spray adhesive to affix plastic to walls and floors and provide a seal on all doorways and openings. Plastic sheeting is highly flammable and poses a significant fire risk. Fire extinguishing equipment is recommended, and of course no open flames or unprotected lights should be used in the work area. You will use wet removal methods, so use GFI protected outlets for any ventilation or lighting needs. A canister vacuum with HEPA filtered exhaust is an important final cleanup tool and can provide some ventilation to keep your enclosure under negative pressure; however, commercial removals use high volume HEPA filtered ventilation devices 1500 to 2500 cfm.

Shut off all electricity to the work area except power provided through GFI protected extensions. Asbestos materials must be throughly wetted prior to removal. A garden sprayer with a soapy solution or purchased penetrating surfactant should be used. The ideal removal tools for the job are hand scrapers in various widths.

Strip off your street clothes and leave them outside the work area. Enter the work area and don a Tyvek suit, gloves safety glasses and most important your respirator. Wet the materials and allow wetting agent to penetrate. Scrape asbestos off ceilings and collect into the waste disposal bags. When removal is complete, use disposable rags to wet clean all surfaces. When that is done, do it again. Remove all ACM wastes from your work area prior to removing the enclosure by double packing sealed waste bags into a clean second waste bag, seal the second container and pass it out of the enclosed area for temporary storage prior to disposal.

At this point, you could paint the ceilings which would seal any stray fibers. Once the work area is very clean, begin to remove the enclosure plastic folding it in on itself so the contaminated surfaces are inside the plastic. Dispose of the material as you go in marked disposal bags. Everything that is potentially contaminated must be disposed.

Any time you leave the enclosure, remove gloves, and tyvek suit by turning it inside out and disposing of it in a disposal bag. Leave your respirator on. Leave the enclosure and being certain not to carry any contamination on your feet or body, go shower. Remove the respirator in the shower. Be sure to wash your hair. At this point you can dress and do anything but re-enter the work area. Because of the decontamination procedure, you can see it is essential to have assistance outside as you work inside the work area.

Finally, if this seems like a lot of work or is something you have any question at all about doing safely, hire a professional first. Feel free to ask more questions.

[plumber Tom]

DIY is not recommended Donna. Why take chances with glass fibers that can make your lungs bleed? When I 1st starting posting on Bob’s boards, one guy (i think it was tomh)Gave the best advice. YOU WILL PROBABLY get some posters who will tell you to try to contain it,,but IMO you will never get it all without an abatement company. it’s your choice, your decision and most importantly your health. Make the right choice and type in asbestos in the search box to get previous answers on this subject.

[Daniel E. Fall]

You can also encapsulate asbestos ceilings by covering them up with something as little as paint, or as much as new drywall or skimcoat. It is legal and affordable and safe.

[Author]

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