Over the course of many years, asbestos was used abundantly in the construction of residential, retail and commercial buildings. It is fire-resistant and cheap to manufacture, which made it such a popular material. As time went on, the health hazards of asbestos were discovered.
Today, many homeowners, business owners, property managers, and construction companies are facing the need for asbestos remediation—one of our specialties here at Matrix Environmental. This is the process of identifying hazardous materials in structures and safely removing them.
One of the most common uses of asbestos is insulation. This is where it has been used most widely in construction throughout the years. Matrix Environmental has made a list of the four main types of insulation where asbestos is most often found:
- Spray-On Asbestos Insulation
This form of insulation was designed for its ease of application. Asbestos, adhesive, and other materials would be mixed into a spray that could be directly hosed into walls, ceilings, and beams. These spray-on insulations, which contained asbestos were hazardous to apply and are easily damaged over time. Any damage can result in a dangerous cloud of powdered asbestos.
- Loose-Fill Asbestos Insulation
This lightweight form of insulation was blown or poured into attics and crawl spaces of various buildings. It was often made mostly of asbestos or sometimes with partial vermiculite. Because it is lightweight and loose in nature, it was easily disrupted by air currents and other movements in the structure, releasing the harmful asbestos into the air.
- Asbestos Insulation Wrappings
This insulation was made of fabric or cardboard infused with asbestos. These wrappings are also known as lagging and were used extensively for covering hot water pipes, water heaters, air ducts, and furnaces. The cardboard version was especially dangerous because it naturally decays and makes the asbestos particles airborne. The fabric versions experience wear and tear over time, which is just as dangerous to the inhabitants of the building.
- Asbestos Block Insulation
Older insulation often came in semi-rigid block form because it was easy to produce and simple to install. This style of insulation is found commonly in older and cheaper properties. These blocks were regularly infused with or made entirely from asbestos.
If you think you may have asbestos in your home, business building or structure, contact Matrix Environmental today for a full HAZMAT inspection. We can offer a full remediation/abatement plan to safely eliminate and dispose of any harmful construction materials that may be lingering in your property. If you have any questions about our demolition process, HAZMAT abatement services, or our safety procedures, contact us today.