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Are you trying to have your house cleared of any traces of asbestos? In case you did not know, asbestos is actually mixed into cement to make it stronger. However, inhaling it can be very harmful to you and your loved ones' health. That is why many people are getting asbestos removal done in their houses. You should, however, know some important things before you decide to do so. These include the cost, things to keep in mind, and so on.
Don’t get worried if you don’t have enough knowledge of asbestos as this article will give you a thorough rundown on asbestos and asbestos removal.
What is Asbestos?
If you are thinking of having your house cleared of any traces of asbestos, you need to know what it is and why it needs to be removed. Asbestos is a mineral composed of soft and flexible fibres that are heat, electricity, and corrosion-resistant. Even though these qualities make it useful, they also make exposure to asbestos highly toxic.
Asbestos is mixed into cement, plastic, floor tiles, and other materials to make them stronger. However, if you inhale or ingest asbestos dust, the fibres permanently get trapped in your body. Depending on the quantity inhaled and other factors, it can turn out to be very harmful to you. Long-term trapped asbestos fibres can cause serious damage to your health. Some dangers of asbestos include; lung cancer, inflammation, mesothelioma, and eventually genetic damage.
Types of Asbestos
According to research done so far on asbestos, there are several types of asbestos which are divided into two categories. They are:
Amphibole Asbestos
Asbestos under this category has straight, jagged-shaped fibre. The types that fall in this group are:
Crocidolite
It is also known as blue asbestos and is found in flooring, ceilings, roofs, walls, and pipes.
Amosite
It is also known as brown asbestos. It is commonly found in cement sheets, pipe insulation, insulating boards, ceiling tiles, and thermal insulation products.
Anthophyllite
This form of asbestos is not as common in households as it was used in limited quantities for insulation products and construction materials.
Tremolite and Actinolite
Usually brown, grey, white and green in colour and can be found as contaminants.
Serpentine Asbestos
This type of asbestos has curly fibre, and there is only one kind of it. Chrysotile, also known as “white asbestos”, falls in this category. It is usually found in flooring, ceilings, roofs, walls, and pipes.
Asbestos Removal
Not many people are aware of the health risks of asbestos exposure, and that’s why they don’t pay much heed to it. However, as earlier mentioned, asbestos can cause diseases such as cancer and mesothelioma. That is why removing asbestos from your residence is crucial. Even though the use of asbestos is illegal in Australia, it remains in the buildings that were built before the 1970s.
As a homeowner, you need to be aware of the consequences of asbestos exposure and the proper way to remove it. Some places that you might find asbestos in your home are: floor tiles, decorative finish, eaves, soffits, gutters, and rainwater fall pipes, gaskets, carpet underlay, textured paint, cement, garages and shed roof, lining for walls, ceilings and doors, and insulation panels.
Asbestos Removal Cost Guide
If asbestos has been detected in your home, you should try to remove it as fast as possible. Hire a licensed asbestos removalist who will get the job done to completion. You need to know that the cost of asbestos removal varies from one region to another. Therefore, your geographical location in Australia and some other factors will play a role in how much you have to pay for the removal of asbestos.
The typical cost of removing asbestos is about $30-$150 per square metre. The total average cost of asbestos removal ranges between $1123 and $2872, but that again fluctuates due to some factors.
Factors to Consider When Calculating the Cost of Asbestos Removal
It is crucial to have enough knowledge and prep properly before getting asbestos removal services for your house. So, here are some factors affecting the prices of your removal:
Size of the Area
In most cases, asbestos is not found throughout the house but in just a few areas. The more difficult it is to access the place, the higher the price of removal. Therefore, the price varies depending on the size and how hard it is to take care of that place. The price usually ranges between $50 and $150 per square metre, but the price could be more for roofing and siding removal.
Cleanup and Setup Costs
The pre-setup that asbestos removalists need to do before the actual removal process is a very time-consuming job. They have to construct decontaminated areas, seal off rooms, post warning signs, and prop disposal containers. The setup usually costs about $240-$350 per hour.
Labour
It usually requires a team to get the job done as asbestos removal is a pretty tiring process. An average project usually takes 8 hours to complete with at least two professionals. Labour costs are usually approximately $75 to $200 per person.
Asbestos Disposal
The price of asbestos disposal does vary depending on the place, but it usually ranges from about $13-$15 per square metre.
Geographical Area
Your geographical residence plays a huge role in how much you have to pay for an asbestos removal job. For instance, in Victoria, the price is approximately $25 per square metre, while the cost of asbestos removal in Brisbane is approximately $50 per square metre. Therefore, you have to inquire about the price in your region.
Testing
Getting a sample tested to confirm if you have asbestos in your home or not is very important. Asbestos removalists can give you a discount on it, but there may be extra costs. The asbestos sample analysis usually costs approximately $25-$200.
Asbestos Type
The cost of having friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos removed is different as the two types are different. Friable asbestos is more toxic. This means that the removalists need to deal with it with more precaution. Non-friable asbestos is trapped in a stable matrix and does not release fibres until it is messed with. So the cost varies based on that.
Asbestos Removal Cost by Location on Your Property
Asbestos removal costs vary from location to location. This is usually because of the process and labour needed to do the removal. The process for asbestos removal in the garage is not the same as in attics. Here are the costs of it in the various locations:
Pipes and Ducts
Asbestos can be found in some pipes, and the removal depends on the material. Ducts are usually entirely removed as asbestos is typically used to hold the pieces together. On average, the cost is about $35-$55 per square foot.
Attic and Roof
Asbestos can be found in old attics. Some attics have plenty of room, while others are difficult to access. The usual cost is from about $800 - $15000. The cost of removing asbestos roofs is about $3500 - $5500.
Ceiling and Floor
Old floor tiles, as well as popcorn ceilings, usually have asbestos. Removing popcorn ceilings that have asbestos usually requires about $3- $7 per square foot. Vinyl floors also tend to have asbestos in their backing or adhesive.
Asbestos Removal Cost: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
There are some DIY asbestos removal kits available in the market, but that process can prove to be risky. Not only do you have very minimal knowledge about asbestos removal, but you also don’t have the necessary equipment. This can turn out to be harmful as we know asbestos exposure is very toxic. So, even though it might cost less than hiring a professional, it is better to hire an asbestos removal professional. Asbestos removal is best left in the hands of licensed asbestos removalists.
Asbestos removalists know just how to do the job correctly and efficiently. Asbestos removalists have special suits and respirators that protect employees. They will also ask you to leave the residence so that you are safe. The entire area is perfectly sealed off to prevent excess floating of the fibres. They do the removal correctly so that the asbestos does not contaminate the rest of your house. Simply put, they have all the skills required to complete the job with ease from start to finish. So, it is better just to leave it in their hands.
How to Save Money on Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal is quite expensive and this can be quite frustrating. So, it is only natural to want to find some ways to save money on the total costs. Below you will find some cost-saving tips that can prove to be very helpful:
Tip 1: Rather than having a removal company test the asbestos, use a third-party asbestos inspection company. Doing so avoids any conflict of interest since you do not want asbestos removal if there is no asbestos in your home.
Tip 2: Ensure that you use encapsulation methods only when it is legal and safe to do so. Remember that saving money is not worth it if it puts your family’s health at risk.
Tip 3: Get quotes from multiple reputable companies. It is a great way to ensure you are getting a good and affordable deal.
Tip 4: Check to see if the local government has a program for asbestos removal assistance that aims to help homeowners save on the asbestos disposal cost.
After reading this article, hopefully, you found out all that you need regarding the cost of asbestos removal from your property and everything that affects it. If you have asbestos in your home, try to have it removed as soon as possible, keeping the things mentioned in this article in mind.
David
