If you’ve discovered your property has asbestos, you probably have a lot of questions!
As New York’s Capital Region’s premiere selective demolition and environmental remediation professionals, we’ve seen it all in our nearly 20 years in business, and safe and efficient asbestos abatement is something we tackle regularly.
Getting rid of asbestos is a serious job and you don’t want to trust it to just anyone. As you’re looking for a professional to help you, it’s a good idea to know that basics of asbestos.
WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. There are six types:
- chrysotile
- amosite
- crocidolite
- anthophyllite
- tremolite
- actinolite
all of which are composed of long thin fibrous crystals, each fiber being composed of many microscopic “fibrils” that can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion and other processes.
WHERE IS ASBESTOS FOUND?
Asbestos is found in both commercial and residential properties and even in parts of cars! Examples of products that might contain asbestos:
- Sprayed-on fireproofing and insulation
- Insulation for pipes and boilers
- Wall and ceiling insulation
- Ceiling tiles
- Floor tiles
- Older mastic (glue) for floor tiles and baseboards
- Old fume hoods and lab benches
- Putties, caulks and cements (such as in chemical carrying cement pipes)
- Roofing shingles
- Siding shingles
- Wall and ceiling texture
- Joint compound
- Brake linings and clutch pads
WHY WAS ASBESTOS USED? WHEN DID ASBESTOS STOP BEING USED?
Asbestos was used for its fiber strength and heat resistance. Because of this, asbestos was used to strengthen and fireproof materials including concrete, bricks, fireplace cement, pipes and insulation.
The EPA banned all new uses of asbestos in 1989. However, in 1991 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned the ban due to pressure from industry lobbyists. Because of this, certain asbestos-containing products, such as gaskets and brake pads, are still sold in America.
If asbestos has been discovered in your residential or commercial property, we’ve got your back! Reach out to us for a complimentary quote – you need a specialized contractor who has the experience and workforce to handle the job!
At C&C Unlimited, we pride ourselves on completing projects safely, on time, on budget and within scope.