Was your commercial or industrial building in Arlington Heights built before the late 1980s? If so, there is a good chance that some parts of it were built using asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was a popular building material at the time because it was extremely strong and fire-resistant.

But even decades later, asbestos can still be dangerous if disturbed or improperly handled. That is what makes professional asbestos removal so important. Below, this asbestos removal contractor in Arlington Heights, Illinois is going to explain some of the common tools and methods that professional teams use to do this work safely.

HEPA filtration keeps asbestos fibers out of the air.

One of the most important parts of asbestos removal is making sure the fibers do not spread into the air. If they do, they can stay in the air for a long time and be harmful to anyone nearby.

This is why professionals use High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. A proper HEPA filter captures at least 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. Without this level of filtration, asbestos could easily spread beyond the work area.

The removal team also uses HEPA vacuums to clean contaminated surfaces. These vacuums collect loose dust and debris that may contain asbestos. Sometimes, though, asbestos residue can stick to surfaces. In those cases, the team will clean with wet wipes to remove anything the vacuum can’t.

At the same time, negative air machines are used to control airflow inside the sealed work zone. They pull contaminated air through filters and then push the cleaned air out. This constant airflow keeps fibers from moving into other parts of the building.

If you are hiring an asbestos removal contractor in Arlington Heights, Illinois, it’s important to make sure that they use professional-grade HEPA vacuums and negative air machines.

Large asbestos removal projects need full-scale containment.

The team will fully seal off the work area for large or complicated asbestos removal projects. They use layers of thick plastic sheeting to isolate the area completely. They also use a negative air system to keep air flowing inward so fibers do not escape. Decontamination chambers may also be set up at entry points so the team can safely enter and leave without spreading fibers into other areas of the building.

Before removing materials, the team wets them to reduce dust and keep fibers from becoming airborne. Then, they remove the materials and seal them for disposal.

After removal, they clean the area using HEPA vacuums and wet wipes to make sure that no dust or fibers are left behind. They also test the air to make sure it is safe and free of asbestos fibers.

Glove-bag removal is used to safely remove asbestos from small areas.

Not every asbestos removal job needs a full-scale containment setup. Asbestos is sometimes only found in specific areas, like pipe insulation or gaskets.

For these smaller jobs, the removal team usually relies on glove-bag removal. They place a sealed plastic “glove bag” with built-in gloves around the part that contains asbestos. Then they reach in through the gloves and wet and remove the material. This keeps fibers from escaping, so the team can do the work with less disruption to daily business.

A professional asbestos removal contractor in Arlington Heights, Illinois will know when glove-bag removal is right and when a larger containment setup is needed.

Looking for an Asbestos Removal Contractor in Arlington Heights, Illinois?

If you have asbestos that needs to be removed in your commercial building, it’s important to take the time to ask questions and choose a contractor you trust. Are you currently looking for a reliable asbestos removal contractor in Arlington Heights, Illinois that can safely treat your property? If so, look no further than our team at Axis Response Group. Contact us today at (773) 427-6811 to learn more about how we can help.