How Long Does Asbestos Removal Take? Prepare for Your Abatement Project

Out with the asbestos—ASAP

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  • Asbestos fibers can remain airborne for 48 to 72 hours after disturbance, so you need immediate professional containment to protect your home and family.

  • Asbestos removal costs range from $450 to $6,000, with average costs around $2,200, depending on your project size and material location.

  • Your home needs professional testing if you're planning renovations or if you notice damaged materials like crumbling tiles or frayed insulation in older areas.

  • Hiring a local asbestos abatement professional provides safe containment, proper removal, and compliant disposal that protects your household from serious health risks.

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For homes built before the 1980s that contain asbestos, removal is critical to ensure your household's safety. A material once valued for its fire-resistant properties is now known to pose serious health risks. But how long does asbestos removal take? For most homes, it takes less than five days to get rid of asbestos. Learn about the average abatement timeline to help you plan your project.

How Long Does Asbestos Removal Take On Average?

On average, asbestos removal can take one to five days, but the exact timeline varies based on your asbestos issue. Removing asbestos from small areas, like a single room could take just one day. Larger areas, whether it's whole-home removal or multiple rooms, require an extended timeline.

Asbestos in ceiling tiles or floor coverings is easier to remove than asbestos-containing materials in walls or roofs, which makes the removal more complex. The condition of the asbestos could speed up the timeline. For safety reasons, your abatement pro will likely expedite the project if the material is damaged or deteriorating.

The Asbestos Removal Process

Detail of asbestos roof
Photo: Carlos Ciudad Photos / Moment / Getty Images

Asbestos removal requires hiring a local asbestos abatement professional. The meticulous process and health risks associated make it a project best left to the experts.

Here's what you can expect during removal:

  • Containment: The removal space is sealed off with plastic sheeting. Air ducts are sealed to prevent airborne fibers from spreading to other areas in the home. The HVAC system will be turned off. 

  • Removal: The pro will use specialized tools and methods to remove the asbestos-containing material to minimize fiber release.

  • Disposal: Removed materials are placed in dedicated disposal bags with a secure seal. All bags are removed following local and federal guidelines to prevent environmental contamination.

  • Final Inspection: The entire area is thoroughly cleaned to remove residual fibers.

Signs You Need to Remove Asbestos

5 places in the home where asbestos can be found, including ceilings, floors, and pipes
Photos: Catherine McQueen / Moment / Getty Images, Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images, hanohiki / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Joe_Potato / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Carlos Ciudad Photos / Moment / Getty Images

Asbestos hasn't been used in homes since before the 1980s, but older houses may still have asbestos-containing materials. In some cases, asbestos that remains undisturbed and secured doesn't pose an immediate danger. However, certain instances make removal necessary, including:

  • Renovations or Demolition: If you’re planning a renovation that may disturb asbestos-containing materials, removal is required before work can begin.

  • Damaged or Deteriorating Materials: Damaged asbestos materials, like frayed insulation or crumbling floor tiles, can release harmful fibers into the air.

  • Health Symptoms: Anyone in the home experiencing ongoing respiratory issues, like coughing or shortness of breath, in a known asbestos area should remove asbestos immediately.

  • Inspection: If a professional inspection reveals loose asbestos, immediate removal may be the safest option. You can buy a DIY asbestos testing kit or hire a professional asbestos tester near you to know for sure if asbestos is present.

Pro Tip

You may wonder whether it's okay to stay in your home while asbestos mitigation work is underway. Asbestos is a health hazard and is a risk to anyone exposed to the asbestos fibers. While there might be specific times when you can stay in the home during the mitigation process, it is not worth risking the health and safety of your family, leave your home.

Owner of True North Home Inspections, LLC

What Materials Should I Have Checked for Asbestos?

According to data from Angi customers, the most common materials found with asbestos are flooring (28.9%), walls and ceilings (19.5%), and insulation (14.4%). Other materials people need asbestos removal for include siding, sprayed acoustic ceiling, and drywall compound. Asbestos can cause serious respiratory problems, so if you even slightly suspect there’s asbestos in your home, contact a removal company as soon as you can.

How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost?

It costs homeowners between $450 and $6,000 to remove asbestos, with the average homeowner paying around $2,200. The size of the space is one of the most notable asbestos removal cost factors, and abatement averages between $5 and $20 per square foot. The types of asbestos-containing material, location, and disposal will also influence your cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Asbestos fibers can stay airborne for 48 to 72 hours, depending on the home's ventilation. Fibers can linger longer in enclosed spaces with poor airflow. Because the fibers are microscopic, they can easily remain suspended, making them difficult to detect without professional equipment.

The signs of asbestos exposure are often subtle and may not appear for many years, or even decades, after initial contact. This long latency period is one of the primary dangers associated with asbestos.

When symptoms do manifest, they can include:

  • Shortness of breath

  • A persistent, dry cough

  • Chest pain or tightness

  • Fatigue

  • Wheezing

  • Weight loss

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • A dry, crackling sound from the lungs when breathing

These symptoms are non-specific and can be mistaken for other respiratory conditions, making diagnosis challenging. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious diseases as the asbestos fibers cause scarring and inflammation in the lungs. These conditions include asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Due to the vague nature of early symptoms, regular medical check-ups are crucial for anyone with a known history of asbestos exposure, particularly in an occupational setting. If you suspect asbestos is present in your home, a professional inspection is recommended.

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