Sydney became a global city in 1842, half a century after the Europeans started settling in Australia. The metropolis is located on the East Coast of the country, surrounded by Port Jackson, the Blue Mountains, and the Royal National Park. If you live in a home built in the early 1950s to the 80s in Sydney, chances are, your house contains asbestos. It was a popular construction procedure during these years. The silicate mineral has only been recently banned from being used in the construction industry because of its seen effects on people.
Asbestos removal continues to be an ongoing project to eliminate the substance’ effect on human health. Despite the coronavirus’s effects, the silent war of eradicating asbestos in old buildings and houses wages on. As a result, many firms offering asbestos removal in Sydney are still providing their service even in the middle of the pandemic.
Knowing if Your Home Contains Asbestos
Cancer and chronic lung diseases caused by asbestos contribute to the high rates of death in Australia. According to recent statistics, over 800 Australians are diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer each year because of asbestos inhalation.
Men are more likely to succumb to mesothelioma than women. And severe cases of cancer have rapidly increased over the last four decades.
Asbestos, though, has been banned in Sydney and the rest of Australia since 2003. But still, old houses and buildings continue to have asbestos in floor and ceiling tiles, insulation, roof shingles, and cement pipe blocks. The material was typically used as a joint compound to seam sheetrock together.
One big problem with old homes having asbestos is that there are no tell-tale signs. Visual inspections won’t do any good but expose you to the hazards. The only way to figure out if your home has this silicate mineral is having it tested by professionals.
Getting Rid of Asbestos in Your Home
Removing asbestos is a hazardous job that only professionals can do. On a technical level, dealing with the silicate mineral depends on where it is found, the material’s condition, and whether the asbestos is friable or non-friable.
Friable asbestos means it turns powdery when touched. As such, a friable component becomes airborne and makes the material dangerous. Non-friable asbestos, on the other hand, is bound within a material. It only becomes airborne when cut, sawed, or sanded.
If you want to inspect your house in the city for asbestos, try hiring a professional offering asbestos removal in Sydney. This is not only for the protection of your family but also for preventing the particles from being released in the community.
Asbestos-containing material can be repaired, or it should be isolated. A material tested to contain asbestos can be isolated using an airtight barrier. Or an asbestos-containing pipe can be repaired instead. Although this is a temporary solution, it prevents the silicate material from further escaping the house.
However, the permanent solution is to completely remove the material containing asbestos. It is a risky process and should be done delicately. Additionally, air samples have to be taken after work completion to ensure your safety. Professionals use a HEPA vacuum for the cleaning process while using approved respirators and disposable protective covers.
