Hello,
I am considering removing the fiber cement boards in the basement, they are on the ceiling throughout the entire basement, approximately 100 sqm.
Can I remove these myself and if so, how?
I am considering removing the fiber cement boards in the basement, they are on the ceiling throughout the entire basement, approximately 100 sqm.
Can I remove these myself and if so, how?
Hello!
I did this 2.5 years ago. Eternit sheets contain hazardous substances, so you need a bit of equipment. A fan with a filter that can retain radon daughters (available for rent at some Cramo locations), tape all doors so that you get negative pressure in the basement to prevent the dust from spreading. Mask and clothing.
Then everything has to be disposed of, and not all waste stations accept these sheets, so it depends on where you live; you need to call around and see which ones do (beware of waste spies). All sheets should be wrapped in plastic and taped with special tape (asbestos warning).
I'm at work right now, so if you have more questions, I'll try to answer this evening.
Guran1
I did this 2.5 years ago. Eternit sheets contain hazardous substances, so you need a bit of equipment. A fan with a filter that can retain radon daughters (available for rent at some Cramo locations), tape all doors so that you get negative pressure in the basement to prevent the dust from spreading. Mask and clothing.
Then everything has to be disposed of, and not all waste stations accept these sheets, so it depends on where you live; you need to call around and see which ones do (beware of waste spies). All sheets should be wrapped in plastic and taped with special tape (asbestos warning).
I'm at work right now, so if you have more questions, I'll try to answer this evening.
Guran1
Radon daughters?? I must have missed something completely. For me, the danger in asbestos is the asbestos fibers due to their shape and size. But maybe I've missed something entirely.
I did the same thing in my old house. Rented a fan with a microfilter, which pumped air out from the basement, creating a negative pressure. This way, it doesn't spread as much into the house. Then the most important thing is a decent mask with a microfilter to prevent asbestos from getting into your lungs.
If possible, use a lot of water when you take down the panels. The moisture binds to the dust and doesn't spread as much. Safety goggles are also a must, as asbestos dust hurts the eyes.
Try to take the panels down as whole as possible to minimize dust. It's when the asbestos breaks that it releases asbestos fibers.
Then you should do as guran1 suggested, tightly wrap the panels in plastic. Use some thick plastic, like construction plastic. The panels that don't come down whole will have very sharp edges and can cut through regular trash bags.
You can buy warning tape from well-stocked construction supply stores, such as Fredells if you live in Stockholm.
It's also very good to check in advance where you can dispose of the waste. Some municipalities charge by the kilogram, and it can cost thousands of kronor to dispose of asbestos. It weighs like sin.
You might also take the opportunity to send the wife and kids to the grandmother's for the weekend when you're doing the cleanup.
Oh right.. Cramo has decent vacuums with microfilters, which were very useful for the job. Dustcontrol, I think they were called.
//Zax
If possible, use a lot of water when you take down the panels. The moisture binds to the dust and doesn't spread as much. Safety goggles are also a must, as asbestos dust hurts the eyes.
Try to take the panels down as whole as possible to minimize dust. It's when the asbestos breaks that it releases asbestos fibers.
Then you should do as guran1 suggested, tightly wrap the panels in plastic. Use some thick plastic, like construction plastic. The panels that don't come down whole will have very sharp edges and can cut through regular trash bags.
You can buy warning tape from well-stocked construction supply stores, such as Fredells if you live in Stockholm.
It's also very good to check in advance where you can dispose of the waste. Some municipalities charge by the kilogram, and it can cost thousands of kronor to dispose of asbestos. It weighs like sin.
You might also take the opportunity to send the wife and kids to the grandmother's for the weekend when you're doing the cleanup.
Oh right.. Cramo has decent vacuums with microfilters, which were very useful for the job. Dustcontrol, I think they were called.
//Zax
I wonder where all this dust is supposed to come from. I've cleaned both the facade and the roof in the basement of asbestos cement and it hasn't been dusty. I remove the sheets whole. The few places where it cracks produce extremely little dust since I've sprayed with water beforehand.
If you work with sense, you don't need to get warning tape and cordon off the whole block.
If you work with sense, you don't need to get warning tape and cordon off the whole block.
It's like you say. If you get them down whole, there won't be any dust. I didn't manage to get many of them off whole. Porous tiles firmly nailed to the ceiling were not a good combination.
But to cordon off the entire block seems a bit much to me. There are many discussions about how dangerous asbestos is, and you should definitely respect the material. However, all the strict regulations surrounding asbestos are meant for people who work with it professionally. They're in contact with the dust daily, and that's when it becomes hazardous. If you take down eternit boards once in your lifetime, you're unlikely to noticeably reduce your lung capacity because of it, and you're not going to die from it either. But the thought that what goes into your lungs doesn't come out again makes me not want to inhale too much of it.
But to cordon off the entire block seems a bit much to me.
There are many discussions about how dangerous asbestos is, and you should definitely respect the material. However, all the strict regulations surrounding asbestos are meant for people who work with it professionally. They're in contact with the dust daily, and that's when it becomes hazardous. If you take down eternit boards once in your lifetime, you're unlikely to noticeably reduce your lung capacity because of it, and you're not going to die from it either. But the thought that what goes into your lungs doesn't come out again makes me not want to inhale too much of it. 
Of course, one should have respect for asbestos.
It was also present in brake pads on cars not so long ago.
It was also present in brake pads on cars not so long ago.
Yes, and that's why people get pleural cancer even without being consciously exposed to asbestos, as it is present everywhere around us! Pleural cancer is a highly unpleasant disease that only exists in societies where there is asbestos. Therefore, I would observe all possible precautions if I were to take down asbestos-cement boards in my basement.jocke@nybleus.se said: