If you just found out that there is asbestos in your building, one of the first questions that will naturally come to your mind is how long the removal process will take. Knowing the estimated timeline helps you plan better and maintain operations with as little disruption as possible.

Below, this asbestos removal contractor in Northbrook, Illinois is going to explain some of the main factors that affect the timeline of a professional asbestos abatement project.

These are the main factors.

The timeline can depend on the size of the building, the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), and whether the work must be done while parts of the facility remain in use. These factors make it necessary to inspect each site individually.

For example, removing asbestos-insulated piping in a contained boiler room might take only two to four days. However, a full-scale abatement in hospitals, schools, or manufacturing plants (especially ones that are still operational) could take a few weeks.

The job timeline can also depend on whether the material is what we call “friable” (crumbly and more likely to release harmful fibers). And if the asbestos is hidden behind walls or ceilings.

There is also the compliance side. EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act require strict work practices during demolition and renovation, including how asbestos is handled and disposed of. These practices are recommended to minimize the release of hazardous fibers into the air, but they do extend the overall duration of the project.

Before removal can begin, an experienced asbestos removal contractor in Northbrook, Illinois will do a full site inspection. They will take samples and send them to a lab to evaluate the extent and risk of exposure. Depending on the number of samples and lab turnaround times, that process alone can take a few days to a full week.

Asbestos abatement is much more than simply removing ACMs.

One of the most important early steps during asbestos abatement is containment, which is simply isolating the work area using heavy plastic sheeting and setting up negative air pressure with HEPA-filtered ventilation. This is to prevent asbestos fibers from spreading to other parts of the building. After setting up the area, licensed technicians carry out the removal using techniques like wet methods to reduce dust and HEPA vacuums to collect waste without spreading fibers.

The EPA outlines strict guidelines for every step of this process, from initial removal and encapsulation to cleanup, emergency response procedures, and final disposal. It is not uncommon for a portion of the timeline to be spent waiting for appropriate waste containers or figuring out regulatory paperwork related to transport and disposal.

After everything is removed, post-abatement air testing will be done to make sure that the space is safe for people to come back in. That means taking air samples and sending them to a lab to confirm that asbestos levels are well within safe limits. This clearance testing usually adds another day or two, depending on how quickly the lab can process the results.

When you partner with a reputable asbestos removal contractor in Northbrook, Illinois, you can ensure that every phase is handled carefully.

Looking for an Asbestos Removal Contractor in Northbrook, Illinois?

Have you recently found asbestos in your commercial building? Or maybe you suspect it could be there, but you are not sure yet? In either case, if you’re ready to have it safely inspected and possibly removed by a trusted asbestos removal contractor in Northbrook, Illinois, Axis Response Group is the top choice. Contact us today at (773) 427-6811 to learn how we can help.