As a homeowner, one thing you don't ever want to find is asbestos. Asbestos can cause all sorts of health problems, such as shortness of breath and lung cancer. You can deal with asbestos in a safe manner by considering these tips.

Finding and Identifying Asbestos

First, it's important to know when your home was built. If it was built before 1980, your home may have asbestos. You should go around and inspect old floor tiles, the ceiling, ducts and pipes. If you suspect asbestos to be anywhere in these areas, take some of the fibers from the asbestos and submit it to a certified laboratory.

There, experts can determine if the fibers are from asbestos by conducting either polarized light microscopy or transmission electronic microscopy. If the fibers come back positive for asbestos, you need to take action as soon as possible to prevent you and your family from getting sick.

Removing Mold Yourself

If you are going to try to remove the mold yourself, you will need to wear disposable paper overalls, as well as a duct mask. These things will safeguard your body from asbestos fibers that may stir up during the removal process.

Any asbestos structures should first be damped with water, as this will prevent fibers from going all over the place. Put the structures in plastic sheeting, making sure they don't break. After sealing and labeling this sheeting, send it off to the right asbestos recycling company.

Go back to the area where the asbestos was, and mop up any dust with a damp rag. It's important to not use a vacuum, as this will only spread the asbestos particles in the air.

Getting Help from a Professional

You may not feel comfortable removing asbestos, but you don't have to worry, as you can seek help from an asbestos inspection and removal company such as Argus Pacific Inc. These companies have state-of-the-art equipment and methods, helping them remove asbestos in a safe, efficient manner.

Specifically, these professionals will use an asbestos alert detector. These detectors capture data on particles in your home. When high levels of asbestos are detected in your home, the alarm goes off. This helps professionals pinpoint the exact location of asbestos.

These professionals will also wear fully-body suits and protective masks. This type of gear helps them stay safe throughout the removal process. 

Finding asbestos in your home is never a pleasant experience. It's important to remove asbestos safely and quickly, which you can do when you consider the tips above.