Hazardous Material Testing During Water Damage, Mold Damage, & Fire/Smoke Damage

7/25/2016 (Permalink)

Dealing with Asbestos when performing a Water Damage, Mold Remdiation or Fire Damage

Asbestos and lead based paint were commonly used in building construction before their hazardous properties were discovered and they were outlawed in 1977 and 1978 respectively. Suppliers were allowed to use their existing inventories but no new lead or asbestos containing products could be introduced. As a result, these hazardous materials can be found in buildings that were constructed up through the mid to late 1980’s. Asbestos can be found in roofing and siding materials, insulation, drywall and drywall mud, ducting, flooring, adhesives, “popcorn” ceilings, among other sources.  If these materials are in a home and left undisturbed they are general harmless. It is only when they are disturbed (released into the air) and inhaled that they become harmful.

During the course of water damage remediation, mold remediation, fire or smoke damage these materials may need to be removed, drilled into, or they have fallen down such as a ceiling.  It becomes necessary for SERVPRO of Palm Desert to call in a licensed California lead and asbestos professional to come to the job site to take samples and have them tested for these hazardous materials.

If Asbestos is found, a California Asbestos Consultant (CAC) must write an asbestos removal plant, which is a plan for abatement that tells the licensed abatement contractor exactly how to safely remove or contain the asbestos. Removal is complex must be done only by a contractor with a special license and approved by the Federal Government.  Asbestos professionals are listed on the Cal OSHA website at http://www.dir.ca.gov/data-bases/doshcaccsst/caccst_query_1.html.

Lead most commonly found in older paint has the same requirement to be tested on homes or commercial buildings built before 1978. If the tests confirm the presence of lead in an area such as drywall SERVPRO has been trained and certified to use Lead Safe Practices in the removal of these materials. When dealing with lead based paint, it is critical to stabilize any deteriorated (peeling, chipping, cracking, etc.) paint in a lead-safe manner.

SERVPRO is always concerned with education and best practice safety procedures.  We are proud to belong to a company concerned with our customers and our employees.