Asbestos, when it is not disturbed, is fine. The issues arise when asbestos is disturbed, releasing fibers into the air causing the asbestos to become airborne. Alpha Environmental offers comprehensive asbestos abatement work in Portland that can help in this process and offer you a healthier living environment. Our certified professionals are trained to test and abate asbestos from both residential and commercial buildings.
The Asbestos Removal/Abatement Process
Alpha Environmental follows a meticulous, step-by-step process for removing asbestos from your house or office. Our asbestos removal process includes the following:
1. Planning, Demarcation, and Setup
We follow a detailed plan that includes details on how we will treat the area. Once the plan is in place, we demarcate the hazardous area. Next, we seal the air ducts, disable the HVAC system, and seal areas that do not require removal.
2. Asbestos Removal
We utilize hand tools and wet methods to remove the asbestos and affected materials. Our employees wear protective clothing and respirators during removal thus decreasing the risk of exposure. All removed materials are placed into asbestos disposal bags, sealed, and removed through a decontamination unit designed with a protective lining, if required by DEQ standards.
3. Particulate Cleaning and Final Cleaning
Our technicians use special vacuums with HEPA filtration to remove asbestos fibers and clean surfaces. After we remove all asbestos and other materials, we utilize wet methods and HEPA vacuuming to clean the entire work area. According to the DEQ, when required, a third-party contractor is required to conduct air clearance sampling to ensure that the airborne asbestos is within the acceptable range.
Contact Alpha Environmental for Asbestos Testing in Portland
If you need licensed asbestos abatement experts in Portland, Oregon, contact Alpha Environmental today. Call (503) 292-5346 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free estimate.
Homeowners insurance typically does not cover asbestos removal, as it’s often considered a maintenance issue or a pre-existing condition. Your insurance provider will be able to give you the most accurate answer when it comes to your policy.
Yes, in most cases, you will need to vacate the property or at least the affected areas during the abatement process to avoid exposure to asbestos fibers.
The cost of asbestos abatement varies depending on the size of the project, the location, and the extent of the asbestos contamination. This price usually depends on the square foot or linear foot of the project and site layout. Most asbestos abatement estimates will require a free site visit and estimate.
If you are the homeowner AND it is your primary residence, yes you can remove it. Prior to removal, it would be prudent to review and comply with the DEQ regulations for removal and packaging of asbestos containing materials. Once the asbestos containing materials leave the interior of the house, they must be properly packaged and labeled for disposal. Even a homeowner is required to comply with packaging, transportation and disposal permits and requirements. It’s highly recommended to hire a licensed and certified asbestos abatement professional due to the risk and complexity of the process.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) states that all homes built prior to 2004 are required to have a full survey completed prior to an renovation or demolition project commencing. A professional asbestos survey can confirm the presence of asbestos-containing materials and will be required when filing for the DEQ required permitting for asbestos abatement.
