Asbestos Removals Brisbane - Questions To Ask Before Hiring

When choosing an Asbestos removals company in Brisbane, you need to know what you are going to get from them. You need to ask right question to avoid falling into the trap of horror stories that have been rising up about Asbestos removal companies. You will in turn use the crucial information that you will have learnt to select a company that you can trust. Do as much as what you can to assure yourself confidence in the firm to select. Here are some basic questions to ask an Asbestos removal company.

TOP QUESTIONS TO ASK ASBESTOS

 REMOVALIST COMPANY

Ask questions on the following areas;

1. Equipment
2. Insurance
3. Staff
4. Pre-move survey
5. Details
6. Feedback mechanisms

•  PRE-MOVE SURVEY QUESTIONS

1. You should ask the removal company to send a surveyor who is going to confirm on the items to be moved. On coming, you should not hide anything. You should as well discuss your requirements. No one is going to charge you for that visit.
2. Ask on packing services. Are they going to provide the service? Provide them with the information so that they can set aside enough time to do the packing and include in your Quotes so as to make you fully aware of the cost you are going to incur
3. Ask on storage facilities. Do they have enough storage facilities or are they going to recommend somewhere.
4. Do not fail to ask for a written quotation and their fixed prices

• EQUIPMENT RELATED QUESTIONS

1. ASK on the sizes of Lorries and vans that the company has. A large vehicle should be available instead of loading and unloading of vans while waiting
2. Ask the company on the number of packing boxes they will provide in advance. Some provide the boxes as part of the move while others will sell to you. Ensure you ask for the stronger ones; the double walled. Have a small cutter that is going to help you open the boxes. Many companies have wine racks or special book boxes
3. Check out to ensure the removal firm possesses a good supply of all moving equipment. Ensure the company is in a position of locating your home quickly, have blankets that they will use to wrap large furniture’s, mattress covers, hanging wardrobes and the related equipment. The equipment that the company possess is what is going to give the difference between good and bad moves

• INSURANCE QUESTIONS

1. What are the details of their insurance? You should check to ensure you do not have to supplement on the insurance when you have precious items that are not covered by their insurance during the move. Remember, it is only a few household content Insurance that is not covering items which are in transit.
2. Ask to see the V.O.S.A number of the removals. If all you find out that the removal involve operating goods vehicle of certain weight then you should ensure the firm holds an operator’s license that was issued by traffic commissioners for safety and security reasons.

You can check here to get the clear idea about asbestos removal insurance.

•  STAFF QUESTIONS

1. Are the members of staff trained? By who? Remember the body which runs training for removers in Britain is British Association of Removers (B.A.R). The staff should be licensed and qualified.
2. Is their staff uninformed? Get to know if the movers who are going to handle your properties casual, contractors or fully employed by the company. Remember casual workers feel less concerned of the job or are less inclined to worry about your properties. 

• COMPANY DETAILS FUNCTIONS

1. Ask for full Address and landline numbers. For example, cowboy removal companies operate using mobile phones only thus you should get the details at hand.
2. Ask on the mode of payment. How is the company paid? Most reputable and trustworthy firms ask for cheques or credit cards. Some though ask for cash payment.

• FEEDBACK MECHANISMS QUESTIONS

It is worth important to look for genuine feedback from the past customers. This is going to instill confidence on you and assure you of quality work. Go online as well to check on the ratings of the company.

• OTHER QUESTIONS TO ASK

1. What is the custom code of regulation of country that you are moving to?
2. Is the company part of the recognized international trade bodies?
3. What are some of the customers form to fill?
4. What the company Quote include

It is important to employ asbestos removal firm that will make you comfortable as much as they will be handling your properties. The company should be licensed and guaranteed and must provide satisfactory answers to all the questions that you will ask. That will be the right company for you. To learn more on the questions to ask then feel free to call online and get accessed to expert questions in the website http://www.iasbestosremovalbrisbane.com.au/. you can as well send email or make a phone call and a team of dedicated technicians will help you quickly.

Reference Link: http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/asbestos/guidance/homeowners-owner-builders/tips-hiring-a-contractor.htm

Asbestos Removal Queensland - Tips and Advice

When you are removing asbestos the main objective is to keep the dust that is released during the process as minimal as possible. This can be achieved without breaking the sheets, wetting the sheets down with water or spraying the sheets with a PVA glue mixture. The correct removal techniques calls for patience because a lot of individuals while removing asbestos tend to be tempted often breaking the sheet to save on time. When you break the sheet while removing asbestos even if you have watered it down to wet it, the sheet will probably release fibres in the air. On that point you will have no other option rather than breaking the sheeting and in this case dust will find its way to the air through hosing the sheet down as it is broken. 

Moreover, while stacking the sheets after you remove them, you should place them on top of another. Do not slide them against another because the friction caused between sheets will make the fibres to be released even more. 

The following article outlines asbestos removal Queensland - tips and advice

Asbestos Fencing removal 

Asbestos fencing removal to be honest is usually a hard task since hand digging of the sheets is required. In order to do the job properly it requires you to dig out deeper and remove the entire sheet. If in case some or part of the sheet remains intact with the ground when time comes to put the fence asbestos can actually get in the way. More so you must be aware that you cannot deviate around the asbestos as the fence will become crooked. Conversely the neighboring sheet will end up with a bigger backyard and the other one relatively smaller. 

Moreover bolts holding the sheets in place might have rusted and pose difficulty in removing them. You can consider utilizing a powered battery rattle gun which has a flat blade attachment for driver screw to remove them. Also you will have another person or a partner if we call him or her as so on the other side of the fence. They must be having an adjustable spanner that they will use to hold the bolt as the powered battery rattle gun is being used to remove the bolts holding the sheet. To hire asbestos removal experts visit iasbestosremovalbrisbane.com.au

Asbestos cladding removal

Asbestos cladding can be removed using a variety of ways. Basically asbestos cladding usually involves nails removal from the sheeting. These nails can be removed in various means the most popular includes using the following apparatus:

• Nail puller

• Nail punches

• Cold chisel

Nail pullers are the best option to consider for removing nails. They do not tend to crack the sheeting as well as they are a bit faster. However, you must be careful enough since they create dust when removing nails.

Cold chisels usually require you to knock the nail head by use of chisel place next to the nail and hammering over it. It is usually faster if you are removing many nails but it cracks the sheets sometimes.

Nail punches are the cleaner method for nail removal from asbestos but it is a very slow technique. Hammer the punch after you put it on the head of the nail, it drives the nail back into the sheet.

Safety equipment

• Respirator

While choosing the respirators to use during the process you can select from the following:

1. Paper
2. Half face mask
3. Full face mask respirators

If you consider full mask or half face mask respirator you can either opt p2 or p3 filter. A properly worn respirator on full face will provide you with maximum protection than considering a half face mask. This is because the full face mask will not allow asbestos to get to your skin if worn well with an overall.

• Coverall

Make sure that the coverall you are using are highly rated for usage while working with asbestos.

• Boots

Boots for asbestos removal should not be having steel caps or races. The best choice boots for asbestos removal should be steel capped gumboots. This is because you can carry asbestos to your home from your footwear.

• Gloves

Do not use fabric gloves as asbestos will become trapped in the fabric. Consider using dish washing gloves for asbestos removal.

While cleaning and dumping the asbestos make sure you wrap it in black builders plastic. You can find those bags from building stores in Australia. Consider buying 4 meter high and 50 meter long black builder’s plastic as they will give you little job in wrapping the sheets. In addition, depending on the disposal facility you visit remember you will be required to wrap the sheets in groups of three or five or perhaps in bundles of thirty.

References

http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/641/How%20to%20Safely%20Remove%20Asbestos.doc

Was Your Home Built Before or During The 1980's You may need Asbestos Removal

Was Your Home Built Before or During The 1980's? You may need Asbestos Removal. Many homes and commercial establishments in Australia built before 1980 were built with cement mixed with asbestos outside, either on roofs, gutters and wall coverings or internally in fittings as a wallpaper component or bonding material on the floor tiles and wall. Although most friable (closely related) Asbestos has been used over time, extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or strong winds and activities such as demolition and renovation can loosen the material on roofs or gutters blowing of asbestos fibers in the air. When swallowed or inhaled, these particles cause fatal diseases such as 

• Asbestosis 

• Mesothelioma

• A cancer that destroys the membranes of a person’s lungs and abdomen.

Asbestos regulations governing

Asbestos is regulated and controlled under a range of laws and agencies around the world. In Australia, for example, it is within the mandate of the regulations governing Environmental Protection Agency removal of asbestos. The discarding of asbestos waste materials and is supervised by the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants.

Removal of asbestos waste

Generally, the elimination being the most expensive solution is to be among the last options to be considered unless it is required by local regulations or respective State. Removal poses the greatest risk of fiber being released into the air. However, removal of asbestos may be necessary in some major changes around the house that could end up disturbing the asbestos material. The removal of the asbestos roof can become critical in the case where the asbestos material obtained can be severely damaged and otherwise beyond repair. Removal of asbestos roofs bathroom is complex and must be done by a contractor  of iasbestosremovalbrisbane.com.au with special and appropriate training.

Before you try to do something, you must follow these preparatory steps:

• You must first obtain an asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) and work instructions.

• To ensure the highest standards of safety and compliance of the project, an on-site assessment must be performed. Relevant data can also come from a register of existing asbestos.

• It is necessary that the calculations are made of the required amount of material on the basis of quality requirements, the specifications and drawings.

• The applicable environmental requirements must be identified so that the project can comply with all regulatory requirements.

• Health workers involved in the project must be preserved. Therefore, you must apply all the necessary processes to meet the health surveillance requirements. It also involves monitoring the air.

• Authorization can then be obtained (based on legislative requirements and business) after completing the preparation phase.

• All workers involved in the project must be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) that is compatible with the job. This equipment must be checked for faults in advance.

Preparing the area and removal

Once the project was approved after the initial preparation phase, a second preparation of the present site is required. These are the following:

• The particular materials containing asbestos must be identified and the register of asbestos checked.

• After identifying the target materials, you can then implement procedures signaling and barricade. This is necessary in delineating work areas on the site; thereby preventing unwarranted access by unauthorized persons.

• Obviously, you should also set up the decontamination unit before starting the project.

• You must also test decontamination procedures, just to be sure of their effectiveness, while avoiding the risk of error.

• Similarly, all equipment and materials to be used in the removal of asbestos-containing material (ACM) is performed before the operation.

• It is extremely important that the adjacent public services are evaluated first. These utilities as power lines and water pipes may require disabling, containment or diversion. This will allow you to avoid unnecessary risks.

• The code of practice and legislation would also require you to advise all occupants in the building, neighbors and others who may be affected by the operation.

You can checkout the asbestos removal information in the following interesting video

Enclosing the removal site

This is the last step involved in the preparation for the removal project. Various activities involved include:

• Most enclosure appropriate type and eliminating the most appropriate, depending on the extent of the removal project.

• As loose products are potentially more dangerous than non-friable products (ACM Solid), strict enclosure procedures are needed.

• Once a particular type of enclosure is selected, you must make sure that the negative air pressure is maintained on the inside, in accordance with legislative requirements. It should also be inspected and smoke tested to ensure that it is completely airtight.

For more information and to keep up to date with iAsbestos Removal you can connect on Linkedin

Tips for Getting Professional Asbestos Removal Brisbane

Asbestos is a dangerous and easily communicable hazardous material. When considering having a professional removal done you must consider their qualifications, which includes training, licenses and experience. These items are also expected from their respective governing agencies. In order to find the best in the field, there are a few tips that you should follow. 

Why worry about asbestos?

Asbestos is a hazardous waste material. Very often found in older buildings asbestos has been linked to cancers including mesothelioma among other diseases. Asbestos was widely used in the shipping, manufacturing and construction. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that researchers began to link these and other illnesses to asbestos exposure. Asbestos can be easily carried through dust in the air or even on clothing. 

What you want to know

Your contractor should be;

• Licensed – A professional should be licensed with their respective government agencies. 
• Training – It is important that training in a variety of asbestos removal. Asbestos can be removed from a facility, soil as well as a private residence. 
• Your contractor must possess an EPA license for hazardous waste collection and transportation.
• With there being varying types of asbestos removal, you may require more than one specialist. In your search for a specialist find out in what area they are licensed and have the most experience in. 
• Demolition contractors should not only be class A licensed but also have are unrestricted in demolition works. 

Types of asbestos removal

There are a number of places in both the domestic and facilities environment in which removals are required. 

• Friable materials – are those materials, which include insulation, vinyl floor sheeting, and low-density boards.
• Bonded Materials - asbestos cement roofing, soffits which, are fibre cemented, cement rain water products and vinyl tile. 
• Roofing materials will very often contain asbestos which requires a contractor who can remove from that area as well. 

Always use Professional asbestos Removal company to remove asbestos

Management service

In your checking into your contractor you want to be certain that they have a person(s) that manages the removal process. Some of these services may include asbestos sampling as well as lab analysis as well as emergency management and remediation. The management services should be able to easily identify asbestos assessment and identification. 

Resources

There are resources available to the consumer in which you can look into the licensing, training as well as what their specialties are. There are other resources such as friends and family. 

Other services

One of the important things to look into is whether or not the removal company can reconstruct the areas that have been destructed for the removal. In some instances you will find a removal company that will provide other contractor services such as carpentry, the relining your walls and ceilings. Should you find a contractor capable of these services, be sure to ascertain that their experience in these services are just as proficient as it would be in the asbestos removal services. 

Committed to safety

You will want to make sure that your removal management and team are committed to safety. It cannot be overstated as to how asbestos dust travels. An asbestos removal job can affect everyone within a wide range. Second hand asbestos exposure is as dangerous as second hand smoke. 

What else is expected from your contractor?

Regulators expect certain documents from the remover. One of those items is an asbestos removal control plan. This plan details exactly how the removal will be conducted even when the job will be done. In this plan the contractor will have to outline their transport of this material as well as the plan to dump the material. Regulators also expect the contractor to provide information to them regarding the specifics of whom the job is being done for. This specific information includes the address, the complete name of the owner if a domestic dwelling or full company name, how long it will take as well as what tools and other equipment will be used. The regulators also require the licensing as per the job that will be taking place and who will be overseeing or managing the task. 

What else should you do as a consumer?

Due to the nature of the business and the necessity of having the asbestos removed you have the responsibility to see the licenses, to use resources to check the background of the company. You also should look at the regulatory requirements and ensure that all has been performed. Finding the correct service for your need ultimately becomes the consumer’s responsibility. Being actively involved in the control plan is one of the responsibilities of the consumer. Being proactive, asking questions and taking care of your end of the plan is also part of your responsibilities. 

Asbestos removal can be a simple job if you have the correct company for your needs. Thoroughly investigating the company that you are considering is part of the due diligence that is highly recommended. Using outside resources to further familiarize with the job of asbestos removal and what is required for each area is also an option. There are websites that can help direct you toward what you will need and will also be able to advise you as to whether or not a company is licensed. Website research in general will help you to ensure that your contractor is using the protective measures required by both yourself and your regulators. Some of these protective measures would include outside decontamination units, the correct thickness is waste disposal bags as well as the correct thickness of drop cloths. Protect yourself from lawsuits by making inquires to the regulation dept. as to how to keep your neighbors safe from the asbestos dust. Discuss with your neighbors what you are doing and what measures you will be taking for their protection. Make yourself easily available to the contractors in the event of problems and question. Look at the survey that they will provide you regarding your asbestos contamination. A manager may not be a bad idea in the event you cannot make yourself available. 

Costs For Asbestos Removal Brisbane

Asbestos Removal Pricing

Brisbane property that was built prior to 1980 has a high likelihood that some kind of asbestos material was used in its construction. When left undisturbed in the building structure, asbestos may pose little health risks. Nonetheless, as the building ages and the structure wears down, there is increased likelihood that the asbestos in its structure may be damaged or disturbed, resulting in tiny airborne asbestos fibers and increased contamination of the home with asbestos fibers. In turn, there are increased health risks for everyone who may be exposed to the fibers.

Moreover, according to Australian commercial construction laws, every building that is constructed before December 31, 2003, must have an asbestos register and management plan. The registers and management plans are used to help contain the potential risks of asbestos in buildings with identified asbestos. But when the asbestos becomes a health hazard, the property owner must remove it. Here is how to recognize that your home is at risk and a look at the cost of asbestos removal in Brisbane.

To get free quotes or ask for advice you can contact iAsbestosRemovalBrisbane.com.au as they offer a free asbestos information for all local property owners.

Is Your Home at Risk?

The phase out of asbestos in building materials such as paneling and roofing products began in 1987. This essentially means that if your home was constructed before 1987, then it is most likely containing asbestos. In fact, if you commence any renovations in such a home then you will expose yourself to asbestos fibers. But apart from exterior and interior roofing and cladding materials, asbestos was also used in many other materials many years after the 1987 phase-out commencement date. Some of the materials that were made using asbestos include:

• Roof capping, roof guttering and eaves linings
• Kitchen splash-backs
• Insulations for wood heaters, such as underneath hearths
• Vinyl floor tiles and backings for vinyl floor tiles
• Imitation brick cladding
• Sheets for backing wall tiles in the bathrooms
• Adhesives, sealants, iron board covers and backings for electrical meter boards

If your home was constructed using such materials, even after 1987, then it probably contains asbestos. Hence, you should hire asbestos inspection experts to help you determine the presence or otherwise of asbestos before you begin any renovations. You can find out important information from the Australian Government website here.

Cost of Professional Vs DIY Removal of Asbestos

The cost of professional removal of asbestos typically runs into hundreds of dollars, compelling a number of people to consider DIY removal as a cheaper option. But is the DIY option really that cheap? Well, professional asbestos removal usually involves inspection, actual removal and follow-up inspection, all of which require substantial spending. For instance, paying a licensed person to remove sheets of asbestos from a bathroom costs an average of $700, while removing asbestos from the roof or under tiles costs at least $900. If the property owner gets a laundry, toilet and bathroom asbestos removal done, the cost of professional removal will be averagely $1,500. Indeed, such a cost is quite high and potentially prohibitive, forcing some property owners to consider DIY removal especially where bonded asbestos is involved as they assume that bonded asbestos is not as deadly as friable asbestos.

On the contrary, while DIY removal may appear cheap and attractive in the short run, the cost is immense when the health risks involved are considered. For instance, property owners who engage in DIY removal for bonded asbestos face increased risks of getting Mesothelioma, which is a terminal asbestos cancer. And because most of these property owners have no or limited training in asbestos removal, they run the risk of contaminating their homes and exposing children and other residents to airborne asbestos fibers. Moreover, since the latency period of terminal asbestos cancer is 25-50 years, many residents of such homes where DIY asbestos removal is done may become victims without realizing it, and until a wave of the cancer strikes. Therefore, property owners and renovators must never embark on DIY removal because the long term health effects are even costlier that the short-term expenses on professional removal.

Cost of Asbestos Removal per Square Meter

Asbestos removal contractors typically charge per square meter instead of per hour. Usually, the cost per square meter will depend on the quantity of asbestos to be removed, location of the asbestos material in the building, accessibility of the material, and whether the job is to be done in bulk. For instance, one removal contractor may charge:

1. $45 per square meter to remove up to 20 meters of asbestos in the roof, and probably fix the minimum charge at $350;
2. $35 per square meter to remove 21-100 square meters of asbestos from the roof;
3. $60 per square meter to remove an asbestos-clad shed from a home.

Nevertheless, asbestos removal is quite a competitive business and different contractors offer impressive rates to clients, with the price per square meter running to as low as $20. Therefore, property owners who shop around for the best deals will most likely enjoy affordable asbestos removal rates. 

Before choosing an appealing quote for asbestos removal, the property owner needs to consider the following factors:

1. What is the safety record of the asbestos removal contractor?
2. How long has the contractor been in the business of asbestos removal?
3. Can the contractor provide a reliable list of references?
4. Is the contractor licensed to remove asbestos in Brisbane?
5. Is the contractor sufficiently insured?

Property owners should never entrust asbestos removal in their property with untested hands. In fact, they should prioritize contractors who take their jobs seriously over those contractors who offer the lowest rates.

Getting Asbestos Removal Quotes

Therefore, when planning to renovate an old home, the first priority should be given to asbestos inspection and removal; and the first quotes you should receive should be asbestos removal quotes. If the inspector assesses your old home and finds no asbestos, the only cost you will have incurred will be for the expert assessment. On the contrary, if the asbestos inspector identifies asbestos-related risks, the asbestos material will be removed before the renovation, and at a fair price, and you will have the requisite peace of mind as you carry on with the renovation.

CONCLUSION

Asbestos removal quotes are typically given out freely and with no obligations, so you can call for as many quotes as possible to allow you to choose the best offer possible. As you request for a quote, make sure to provide the potential contractor with as much details as possible. For instance, if you know that the asbestos is in your roof, bathroom or fence, make sure to specify this. If you are not sure, give your reasons for requesting the quote in detail so that the potential contractors can give their typical asbestos removal charges more accurately.

To get the best costs and prices for removing asbestos from your property always seek at least 3 quotes and ask around for any discounts or offers. You can also get companies to price match against each other by being open about the pricing you get from each one. Quite often they will be willing to beat a competitors quote.

Good Luck! 

Remember the one important thing, never remove asbestos yourself!