It goes without saying that the diseases related to asbestos exposure, over time, can be lethal. This is why it’s important that an asbestos inspection is performed for every house and commercial property in Chicago that was build prior to the 1990s.

In this post, we’ll discuss the basic steps involved in asbestos inspection and testing in Chicago:

1. Visual Inspection

The first step involves a thorough inspection of the residential or commercial building space. A typical home might take around 2 to 3 hours, but for a commercial property, the time taken for inspection varies based on the space, occupancy, age, and type of construction of the commercial property.

Initially, a pre-inspection agreement is signed between the property owner and the inspection company. After that, the inspection officer gives an explanation to the client regarding the inspection process. Then, he or she begins the visual inspection of the foundation, ventilation system, HVAC unit, plumbing, electrical systems, as well as ductwork and insulation in all parts of the property.

2. Material Recognition

This is a vital step in asbestos testing process because it involves the precise identification of materials that pose a hazard. There could be materials that have asbestos within them, but if they are in a good state, they may not be harmful. However, if there are materials that show visible signs of wear and tear, deterioration, tearing, and abrasion, then the inspector will recommend a complete removal of the material to ensure safety is maintained in the surrounding environment.

3. Laboratory Asbestos Testing in Chicago

Asbestos was commonly used in many different building materials such as ceiling tile, adhesives, plaster, gypsum board, felt papers, grout, glazing, caulking, fireproofing, thermal insulation, roofing, and siding. While it is possible to visually inspect for asbestos, certain materials, based on their age, may need to be tested in the laboratory for the presence of asbestos. In such cases, samples are taken from different parts of the material and sent to the laboratory to confirm the presence of asbestos.

4. Report Creation

Once the inspector receives the report from the laboratory, he or she creates a detailed report describing the property, along with the type and degree of asbestos contamination present on the property. The report also mentions the physical state of the materials, grading them as per the norms specified by the regulations for asbestos testing. The report also contains a laboratory analysis of the sample material received, as well as recommendations to either repair or remove the asbestos-containing materials.

5. Post-inspection Activities

After the inspector provides a statement that is dated, signed, and verified as per AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act), it’s time to begin the post-inspection activities. The first step is to immediately seal off all the areas where a removal is recommended. This is important to avoid any contamination from the asbestos spreading.

The next step would be to hire a professional asbestos abatement and removal company to repair the damaged material or to remove asbestos-containing material. A licensed asbestos professional will be able to remove all of the hazardous materials quickly and safely.

Get Professional Help to Test and Remove Asbestos from Your Chicago Property

Do you need asbestos removed from your commercial property or home? Are you seeking professional abatement services to have it taken care of? If so, we at Axis Response Group are the people to see.

Our team of seasoned asbestos removal specialists has inspected many properties throughout the Chicago area. If you are looking for quick and safe asbestos removal, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today to discuss your needs!