If you are living in a house in New Zealand that was built before the mid-1980s, there is a higher chance that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used in the construction of your home. If you have taken steps to identify ACMs and had them removed by a professional team, there are some crucial cleaning steps and safety measures involved to ensure your home is properly cleaned after asbestos exposure.
In this blog, we will discuss the best approach to cleaning residential properties after ACMs have potentially been released. Read on to learn more about how to clean after asbestos removal and why Consultex Labs is your go-to for safely testing for the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on your property. Let’s begin.
The Presence of Asbestos in Older Homes
Houses that were constructed before the 1980s are more likely to have been built with asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was a popular choice due to its insulating properties, heat resistance and durability.
After the dangers of using asbestos became more evident, manufacturing and importation were banned in the late 1980s. However, the issue persists in older homes. Asbestos fibres are usually released into the air after ACMs are disturbed or damaged. These dangerous fibres are invisible to the naked eye and, if they are inhaled, can lead to serious health problems like asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural thickening and mesothelioma.
It’s recommended to have professionals remove asbestos from your home, and a thorough asbestos dust cleanup must follow removal. If you’re wondering how to clean after asbestos removal, the first step is testing and identifying the levels of asbestos present in your property. That’s where the Consultex Labs team comes in.
Testing for Abestos
Safety is key, and following the right steps is crucial to avoid putting yourself and others at risk.
Our qualified technicians will take air and soil samples and test building materials. After collecting the samples from your property, our IANZ-accredited lab technicians use state-of-the-art equipment to carry out a bulk analysis by using microscopy techniques to determine the level of asbestos present. To test for asbestos in the air, we provide an Asbestos Fibre Counting service where our technicians will draw air through a membrane filter and count how many airborne fibres there are. From here, we analyse the fibres by using Phase Contract Microscopy (PCM), which allows us to confirm the quantity of airborne asbestos fibres and assess whether they are hazardous.
We offer a same-day service in some cases so you can confirm the results as soon as possible. Then, a HAZMAT-approved asbestos-management plan is created that will outline the location of asbestos on your property and how it will be managed, including the asbestos dust cleanup procedure.
How to Clean After Asbestos Removal
Once the asbestos removal management plan has been completed, a house clean-up can take place. We recommend using a dedicated asbestos cleaning service to ensure safety for you and your family. With proper equipment and training, you can be sure that a thorough asbestos dust cleanup procedure will be carried out.
If you must clean your property yourself, ensure there’s no one else in the house, and adhere to the following tips for cleaning your home:
Always wear PPE (Personal Protection Equipment): Safety always comes first. Wearing the correct PPE gear includes a respirator or dust mask, hat, gloves, and disposable coveralls with a hood. Don’t forget to wear safety goggles.
Clean Surfaces: Once ACMs have been removed, use damp cloths to wipe down and thoroughly clean surfaces such as flooring and walls. Dispose of the cloths in a tightly sealed container before putting them inside heavy-duty polyethene waste bags with a label that clearly states ‘contains asbestos waste’.
Vacuum the Area: Use a vacuum cleaner that is specially designed for asbestos removal and is fitted with a HEPA filter and bag. Then, dispose of the bag with the rest of the asbestos waste.
Ventilation: Leave all windows and doors open for fresh air following your asbestos dust cleanup.
Keep Your Property Safe with Consultex Labs.
Contact us today, and our qualified technicians will be able to assist you with the testing of asbestos-containing materials on your property. It’s important to act fast if you suspect that asbestos is present, and our team is equipped to correctly assess, test and confirm results with an urgent turnaround time.
Don’t delay in keeping your home and loved ones safe; we’re here to help. We offer competitive rates to ensure you can test for asbestos on your property with ease. Get in touch with us for a free quote now.