Asbestos Ceiling Tiles – The Construction Industry

Asbestos ceiling tiles was a product that received heavy usage in both residential and commercial buildings up until the 1970s. Today, asbestos-contaminated ceiling tiles can still be found in many older structures, including schools, office buildings and homes.

As design components, ceiling tiles have added an extra measure of convenience, as well as safety by being heat resistant and insulative. In many cases, their use has resulted in less cost to building owners, both in their construction and in the ease of maintaining the systems they conceal.

Before the government began issuing warnings and guidelines concerning asbestos products, construction workers were at a very high risk of being exposed to a number of asbestos-containing materials. Many different companies manufactured asbestos ceiling tiles and some are clearly marked and easy to identify. Others may be less noticeable due to the age of the product. As a result, caution should always be taken when removing old ceiling tiles.

Installers of ceiling tiles were especially at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers because the tiles often needed to be cut, sawed, sanded and grinded in order to fit. Such methods could have easily released asbestos fibers into the air. Before regulations of asbestos were in place, many who worked with these materials did not wear protective equipment to prevent the inhalation of fibers.

The asbestos ceiling tiles were sprayed with a 10% solution of “Wesstrip” and removed immediately. Initially the lower surfaces of the tiles were sprayed, four tiles in each area were removed to give access to the top surface of the other tiles which were then sprayed from both above and below. Screws holding the tiles in place were unscrewed using powered screwdriver and the tiles were removed and bagged essentially intact.

The Need to Remove Your Asbestos Ceiling Tiles

Asbestos is simply unsafe if the material is airborne; hence, contaminated ceiling tiles are only risky if damaged. If you want to remove these tiles from your ceiling, it is best to have a licensed contractor accomplish the work for you.

Though, there may not be an immediate hazard, there can be a health risk sooner or later. It is better you remove the asbestos ceiling tile. If you choose to remove the tiles yourself, you will need to proceed with great care and carefulness. If you observe that your home contains asbestos ceiling tiles, it is sensible to remove them as soon as possible.

Because of the high risk of exposure it is extremely suggested that if it is essential to remove them, get a qualified contractor in to remove your asbestos ceiling tile. If you aren’t certain whether the do contain the deadly matter then have a look for a test kit and let an expert make a decision before you make any drastic movements to the tiles. It is better to be protected then sorry.