Asbestos removal costs vary based on where it’s located, the size of the job, and if there is any underlying damage. Learn what has the biggest effect on the cost.
What Is Asbestos Abatement? Everything to Know About Safely Managing Asbestos
Evict or trap asbestos – the choices yours
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Asbestos abatement in construction projects protects your home by removing or sealing asbestos-containing materials before they release harmful fibers into your living spaces.
Expect to pay $5 to $20 per square foot for asbestos removal and $2 to $6 per square foot for encapsulation services.
You can choose between complete asbestos removal for damaged materials or encapsulation to seal intact materials, depending on your home's specific condition and needs.
Hiring a local asbestos abatement professional keeps your family safe through proper containment, safe material handling, and compliance with strict safety regulations during removal or encapsulation.
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If you're living in a home built before the 1980s, you may worry whether asbestos is in your walls, siding, or ceilings. You have options to help keep your home safe, but what is asbestos abatement? Learn what your options are when you hire an asbestos abatement professional near you to protect your home from this hazardous material.
What Is Asbestos Abatement?
Asbestos abatement refers to managing and reducing asbestos materials in a building to eliminate the potential release of asbestos fibers. Abatement minimizes any risks posed by asbestos-containing materials, especially when they get damaged or disturbed. Abatement applies to older structures where asbestos was used in construction materials, such as insulation, floor tiles, and roofing materials.
There are two approaches to asbestos abatement: removal and encapsulation. Removal involves taking out asbestos materials entirely, while encapsulation seals the materials to prevent fiber release. Each approach requires compliance with strict safety guidelines to ensure asbestos remains contained and controlled.
The Dangers and Risks of Asbestos
What is asbestos? Asbestos is a formerly used construction material made up of microscopic fibers that pose serious health risks. When disturbed, asbestos fibers can be easily inhaled and get trapped in the lungs, leading to chronic inflammation and scarring. Illnesses associated with exposure include asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma—a rare but aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Symptoms take years to develop, which means you may not realize you've been affected until long after exposure.
The danger of asbestos lies in its durability and ability to linger in the environment if not properly managed. Even low levels of exposure can accumulate over time, posing risks, especially to construction workers, asbestos abatement professionals, and people living in older buildings. Because of these dangers, handling asbestos requires strict safety measures and professional intervention to ensure that asbestos fibers aren't released into the air.
If you're unsure if your home contains asbestos, hire an asbestos testing professional near you to check your home for the material.
Types of Abatement Services
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Homeowners can choose between two abatement options: removal and encapsulation. Each service addresses asbestos differently depending on the material's condition and location. Both asbestos abatement services prevent the fibers from becoming airborne and causing potential harm to the home's inhabitants.
Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal completely rids the home of asbestos-containing materials. This approach is recommended when materials are damaged, deteriorating, or located in areas where they might be frequently disturbed.
Abatement professionals set up a containment area to prevent fibers from spreading and then carefully extract the asbestos material piece by piece. After removal, the materials are sealed and transported to a designated facility for safe disposal, ensuring that no asbestos remains.
According to data from Angi customers, the most common materials found with asbestos in their homes 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.
Asbestos Encapsulation
Asbestos encapsulation seals the material in place to prevent fiber release. This method is preferred when the asbestos-containing material is in good condition but can be hazardous if disturbed.
Abatement professionals apply a sealant or barrier to the material's surface, creating a protective coating. Encapsulation is a quicker and more affordable option than removal. However, encapsulation requires regular monitoring to ensure the material remains undisturbed and intact.
Asbestos Abatement Cost
Asbestos abatement costs depend on the method you choose. Asbestos removal is more expensive than encapsulation. The average asbestos removal cost ranges between $450 and $6,000, but largely depends on the size and location of the affected area. Homeowners pay, on average, $5 to $20 per square foot. Encapsulation costs less, averaging $2 to $6 per square foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Asbestos removal services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 2 total reviews
- Gerilyn L.
One of my old tall evergreen trees was suddenly leaning toward the busy street in front of my house. I submitted a request for an emergency tree inspection, and Alejandro, owner of Cajete Tree Service, contacted me immediately and arrived to look at it just 20 minutes later. We agreed the...
Cajete Tree Service LLC - Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Paul F.
Lyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle Environmental - Kendrick V.
Involved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLC - John E.
A team of 2 spent 5 hours, cleaning top to bottom (removed all light fixture and cleaned.... impressive!!!)
Luzia's Cleaning - Troy S.
Great Job!!! Martin called me after I requested a estimate on Home Advisor. He was very professional and actually went the same day and looked at the tree I needed removed gave us a estimate and I felt it was very aggressive so I did not even call for any other bids. I asked him how soon he...
Reyes Tree Service LLC - Home Facebook - David S.
Mike and his crew did a great job working through a very challenging task. The job required a full demolition of our ceiling, removing the blown in insulation and removing all the material from the site daily. It involved multiple inspections from the city and many challenges to get the...
Rising Height Unlimited - Brenda H.
Removed various items (furniture, lamps, other junk) from my home. They were on time, personable, professional, etc. I can't say enough positive things about this company. <br />
- Locke M.
The task proved more difficult than anticipated. When they arrived the first day, they had no tools with them at all, and had to make a run to purchase appropriate tools. It was quickly determined that the paper had to be steamed off, and neither the workers, nor the company itself, had...
ABS Interiors of Mid-Ohio LLC - Alesia B.
We needed them to do extra work to remove existing wallpaper, and provide full primer and painting/trim work around existing furniture etc, during a move-in period. They did everything top-notch with minimal mess. They were always extremely on time, and very professional. They also cleaned...
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