Help, the craftsmen have broken up and drilled into the asbestos cement tiles in the basement
Hello, we have renovated the house, and the plumbers were supposed to replace some pipes and mains. Now this is done, but they were not very careful and have broken several of the asbestos cement tiles we have in the basement ceiling. In a couple of places, they have made new holes. They have also torn the insulation (surely asbestos in them too) on several old pipes.
Unfortunately, I didn't think about this until much later, and have had both laundry and other things down there.
Am I in trouble now? Do all clothes need to be burned?
What do I do with any remaining dust from the construction workers?
Should I take down all the tiles that are cracked or affected in any way?
Where do you turn for professional help?
Can you measure the asbestos content in the house in any way?
Unfortunately, I didn't think about this until much later, and have had both laundry and other things down there.
Am I in trouble now? Do all clothes need to be burned?
What do I do with any remaining dust from the construction workers?
Should I take down all the tiles that are cracked or affected in any way?
Where do you turn for professional help?
Can you measure the asbestos content in the house in any way?
Eternit panels in the basement ceiling? I don't think so, but if they are, there's no risk in having cracked panels sitting there, it's the dust released the moment you break them that's harmful.
Isn't it that you have "cement-treated" wood fiber boards? Someone else surely knows better what they're called..
Isn't it that you have "cement-treated" wood fiber boards? Someone else surely knows better what they're called..
Thanks for the response! It is eternit, according to the inspector and several others...
Should I just leave it as is then? Shouldn't one at least seal the broken edges in some way? Paint them?
Should I just leave it as is then? Shouldn't one at least seal the broken edges in some way? Paint them?
There is nothing strange about fiber cement board in the basement ceiling. It is used if the room was a boiler room. I've had it like this in the house, now it's all gone.
As for the risks of asbestos, it has been discussed a hundred and ninety-eleven times before, so there might not be much need to repeat it.
As for the risks of asbestos, it has been discussed a hundred and ninety-eleven times before, so there might not be much need to repeat it.
Okay, but how do I know that the fibers that came loose when they performed the work are not still in the house? Is it enough to just clean and air out thoroughly?
And what should I do with the laundry that was lying around and got dusty? Is it enough to wash it again to remove any microscopic fibers?
And what should I do with the laundry that was lying around and got dusty? Is it enough to wash it again to remove any microscopic fibers?
We have tiles in almost the entire basement... So it's not just in the boiler room but also in the garage, storage, hallways, laundry room, toilet, etc. Places where one spends time daily.
It would be nice to clean the entire basement, as you have done. But I might need to check with some companies due to the extent.
It would be nice to clean the entire basement, as you have done. But I might need to check with some companies due to the extent.
I don't think it's extremely dangerous with a little asbestos. It becomes dangerous for someone who is exposed to a lot: that is, someone who, over a longer period, works with breaking off asbestos boards or changing brakes that contain (contained) asbestos.
The fibers that came loose are surely still in the house. The likelihood that you will experience issues from this microscopic amount of asbestos fiber is very low.
If you want to clean a bit yourself, it might be an idea to rent a vacuum cleaner with suitable filters (your own vacuum cleaner will only spread the asbestos further).
I would hang the laundry out to air, maybe wash it, and then that's enough.
If you decide to hire help for decontamination, it will likely be quite expensive. This is because someone who works professionally with asbestos has many regulations to follow, rules that aren't really relevant for someone doing it themselves once in a lifetime.
It's not particularly troublesome to remove the panels yourself. Take them down nail by nail and ensure the boards remain as intact as possible. Make sure the panels are wet so that they dust less if they break. Use disposable clothing and a face mask. Isolate areas you are not going to decontaminate. Ventilate.
If you want to clean a bit yourself, it might be an idea to rent a vacuum cleaner with suitable filters (your own vacuum cleaner will only spread the asbestos further).
I would hang the laundry out to air, maybe wash it, and then that's enough.
If you decide to hire help for decontamination, it will likely be quite expensive. This is because someone who works professionally with asbestos has many regulations to follow, rules that aren't really relevant for someone doing it themselves once in a lifetime.
It's not particularly troublesome to remove the panels yourself. Take them down nail by nail and ensure the boards remain as intact as possible. Make sure the panels are wet so that they dust less if they break. Use disposable clothing and a face mask. Isolate areas you are not going to decontaminate. Ventilate.
Check with the municipality where you can dispose of the plattorna, it is surely considered environmentally hazardous waste. Otherwise, I agree with MathiasS, do the job yourself to avoid the expensive regulations.
MathiasS, I saw your post about panic in the other asbestos thread... (http://www.byggahus.se/forum/byggmaterial-byggteknik/146793-asbest-i-ventilationen.html) and that analysis certainly applies to me.
The reason for my panic, however, is mostly that my partner, my children, and I have been running around in the mess down there for a couple of months. So we have probably already inhaled quite a bit... I feel really lousy for not keeping track of this.
The reason for my panic, however, is mostly that my partner, my children, and I have been running around in the mess down there for a couple of months. So we have probably already inhaled quite a bit... I feel really lousy for not keeping track of this.
eternitplattor are non-flammable, moisture resistant, and durable. Think again before you start tearing down half the house. And replace the eternit with what? Gypsum with a paper surface that easily molds in humid spaces like bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages. Then you've got another material that might need mold remediation in the future...Volume Master said:
Paint or wallpaper over the boards instead, and the risk is gone.
gaia