South Land Remodeling dives into the importance of asbestos testing and asbestos abatement in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles, California, homes built more than 15 years ago are at significant risk of containing asbestos products, such as floor tiles, cement, textiles, appliances, plastics, electrical components, insulation, vinyl products, duct connectors and much more. Because of its harmful effects and prevalence in the state, Californians are urged to understand the substance and its impact, then have their homes examined if asbestos could reside within it.
What is Asbestos?
According to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), asbestos is “the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion.”
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, most contractors used asbestos during building due to its fire-resistant and insulation properties. Today, we understand that asbestos can cause asbestos poisoning and various cancers. The United States Government has enacted multiple laws around the way we inspect, test and remove asbestos.
Despite the laws in place, California natives are at risk of asbestos exposure inside and outside of their homes.
Asbestos fibers grow naturally in California. The most common type, chrysotile asbestos, forms in serpentine and ultramafic rock throughout the state. Contractors previously used these rock types for paving and grading. However, in recent years the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted two measures prohibiting “the use of serpentine or ultramafic rock for unpaved surfacing” and controlling “dust emissions from construction, grading and surface mining in areas with these rocks.”
Where is Asbestos Typically Found in Los Angeles Homes?
Asbestos is generally found in several places around the typical pre-1970 Los Angeles home:
Wall insulation
Vinyl floor tiles
Roofing shingles and siding
Paint
Cement sheets, paper and millboard around appliances
Piping
Furnaces and boilers
Ductwork
Fabrics
Door gaskets
Patching and joint compounds
Paving and cement
Why is Asbestos Testing Important?
Asbestos is designated a hazardous material because of its ability to cause a range of diseases, including asbestosis and Pleural disease, as well as an increase the risk of cancers, such as lung cancer and Mesothelioma. Many homeowners are unaware they have asbestos lurking within their homes so it is important Los Angeles natives undergo asbestos inspection and testing.
Asbestos testing services are regulated by several institutions and laws, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act and the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants surveys.
How Do You Abate and Remove Asbestos in Los Angeles, CA?
Asbestos and its removal are heavily regulated by OSHA and the EPA. Those interested in asbestos removal in Los Angeles must engage a certified asbestos abatement contractor.
Licensed asbestos contractors use special equipment and protection to prepare the home, contain the asbestos, remove it and transport it to a hazardous material disposal site. Engaging uncertified or non-experienced asbestos removal services put both the contractor and homeowner at risk of exposure.
What is the Cost of Asbestos Removal in Los Angeles?
The total cost of asbestos removal in a Los Angeles home depends on the amount of asbestos. The more rooms containing asbestos, the more expensive the abatement can cost. Typically, asbestos removal services by a certified contractor may run anywhere from $1,200 to $5,500.
South Land Remodeling is a licensed general contractor in Los Angeles that works with asbestos removal professionals during home remodels. Contact us today for a free estimate for a home remodel, and we can assist with any asbestos solutions.