An asbestos inspection is a visual survey of the condition of a building or structure to determine if there are any areas containing asbestos-containing materials. Here’s what you need to know about asbestos testing and inspections:
What does an asbestos inspector look for?
An inspector will look for signs of damage, such as broken or cracked insulation. They’ll also inspect surfaces that are likely to contain asbestos, such as ceiling tiles and flooring materials. The inspector will perform tests on samples taken from these areas to confirm their suspicions.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the size of your building and the extent of the asbestos you are concerned about. Most inspections will cost between $200 and $500, depending on the size of your building and the amount of work involved. For a more detailed quote, please contact us.
Are all buildings required to have an asbestos inspection?
No, only buildings that were built before 1980 and include open-air construction are required to have an inspection performed by a licensed professional. Buildings built after 1980 do not require inspections unless there has been substantial renovation or remodeling done on them since then. If you’re not sure if your building falls into this category, you can call your local building department or visit the EPA website for more information.
What should I do before my inspection?
Before your inspection, make sure to remove any items that could fall during the inspection and be damaged by falling objects (for example, ceiling tiles). Also, make sure there is sufficient lighting in the area being inspected so that our inspector can see any potential issues.
How often should I have my asbestos insures surveyed?
This depends on the extent of your building’s asbestos use. If it was built before 1980 and has been renovated, it is recommended that you have your asbestos inspections done every five years. If your building was built after 1979, then you can wait 10 years between inspections.
Bottomline
The first thing to do if you find out that there is asbestos in your building is to stop using the area where asbestos is present. You should also hire a professional asbestos inspector or contractor to identify the location of the asbestos and determine how much of it there is. If necessary, they will remove it safely so that it doesn’t pose a threat to anyone who enters the area.
Author Bio-
Building off over 3 decades of experience from working with his father Jim Mayfield (Mayfield Enterprises, Inc.), James mastered the industry in Foremanship for over 15 years on HAZMAT and Superfund Sites throughout Southern California. Among many other partners, we has worked with Project Navigator, RE Solutions, Crew Grading Inc., WSP, SCS Engineers, TRC Corporation, GeoSyntec, NV5 Environmental, Entact Corp, Waste by Rail, Michael Baker, ERRG, O&M Corp, Largo Concrete, B&D Construction, Xebec, WorkSmart, JLL Enterprises, Mayfield Enterprises, Inc., Arcadis, and more. In addition to being a Stanford-educated Professor with over 30 publications and books in several languages (see Academic Resume), James’ real passion lies in Construction-related Project Management, Environmental Cleanups, HAZMAT, Excavation, and Field Labor. We are also Minority-Owned. James Mayfield is a Native American citizen of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska.