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Removal & disposal

How Experts Deal With Asbestos Removal in Sheds

How licensed removalists safely strip and dispose of asbestos sheds, from testing and containment to demolition and clean-up.

JP Franklin asbestos team 2 min read Updated First published

Corrugated asbestos cement sheets

Quick answer

Old sheds often have Super Six roofs and asbestos-cement walls. Professionals test the materials, wet them down to suppress dust, remove sheets whole rather than breaking them, wrap and label the waste, and clean the site so the area can be safely reused.

Sheds are structures that most homeowners tend to forget about. It’s the last thing to be maintained or renovated when improving your home and is often used as a storage area for junk. If your shed was built with materials containing asbestos, it might need to be removed before it poses a threat to you or your family. Here is a brief guide on how asbestos shed removal experts would remove asbestos from a shed.

Identifying Asbestos

If your shed has been in your backyard since before the 1980s, there is a chance that some materials used in its construction contained asbestos. If it was built from corrugated iron or reinforced plastic, you’re safe. Asbestos cement panels are weather resistant, so if asbestos cement has been used, it will be on the outside of the structure. If you suspect that the hazardous material is present, you should call a removal company for assistance.

The Preparation Stage

The asbestos removal company will already have a preparation process that they follow for every task. They’ll also have disposal processes in place as well before they begin the removal. The tools they’ll use will include:

  • Ladders, adjustable spanners, large screwdrivers, claw hammers and hacksaws
  • Water hoses or spray guns to keep the material wet and avoid releasing dust into the air
  • Plastic bags or sheeting to prevent the spread of fibres after removal
  • Plastic bags to collect smaller pieces of debris
  • Protective clothing
  • Face masks

The Asbestos Removal Stage

The asbestos removal team will use their tools to start removing any compromised panels. The material must be removed carefully and slowly, in a way that doesn’t release asbestos fibres into the air. It should also be removed in pieces as large as possible, without being broken down into more manageable fragments. Remember, the more damaged the asbestos becomes, the more airborne the fibres become. Any hazardous waste will be soaked with water and placed in clearly marked bags, and then double bagged again.

The Waste Disposal Stage

The asbestos will then be removed from the site by the removal company and taken to a place where the public cannot access it.

Asbestos removal companies are experts in removing and disposing of your compromised shed, and they have the necessary licensing and qualifications to do the job right. So if you suspect your shed could be dangerous, be sure to call in an expert team like JP Franklin Asbestos today.s

Official guidance

This guide is general information, not health, legal or engineering advice. For your property, talk to a licensed asbestos professional. Originally published on asbestosremovalservices.co.nz.

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