Residential Demolition Contractors in Los Angeles, CA
If you’re concerned about asbestos in your home, contacting a residential demolition contractor in Los Angeles, California, is the best way to deal with it safely. Asbestos was banned as a building material, but it’s still present in older buildings. Fortunately, demolition services in Los Angeles, CA are on hand to help you properly remove and dispose of asbestos, allowing you to continue living in your home without risking any further health consequences.
You may have heard of asbestos, and by now it’s almost common knowledge how hazardous asbestos can be - but why was such a dangerous material used in the first place, and what exactly is it? Read on for an closer look at asbestos, its historical uses, and (most importantly) how to ensure you don’t put yourself at risk in a building that may have asbestos.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral. There are a few different types, but they can all be characterized by one key similarity: stringy and soft, with fibers that look like fabric or hair. While it may seem soft, the fibers of asbestos are actually made up of long, thin crystals. Look at pictures of asbestos online, and it almost looks like rocks with fuzz or fur. But don’t be deceived - it might look soft, but the crystals that make up asbestos fibers are easily broken, and the dust from asbestos can cause lifelong health issues and death.
The dangers of asbestos were only officially recognized in the twentieth century, but asbestos usage stretches back much further in time. Asbestos fabric was once used as napkins and tablecloths in wealthy Roman households due to its heat resistance: instead of being washed, these fabrics would simply be tossed into a fire and pulled out looking whiter than before. There are mummies with asbestos bandages, and accounts from ancient Persia about a mythical fabric that wouldn’t burn. Evidence suggests that these fabrics were woven from asbestos fibers, long prized for heat resistance.
After the industrial revolution, asbestos was commonly used as a building material for insulation and fireproofing. It was mined and processed into a number of other materials: blankets, insulation, clothing, and more. Once asbestos was produced on an industrial scale, it saw widespread use before legislation finally banned the use of asbestos as a building material in the United States. To this day, residential demolition contractors in Los Angeles, CA, need to take extra precautions to keep them - and their clients - safe when working around older buildings that may contain asbestos.
The Dangers of Asbestos - and How to Get Rid of it Safely
Asbestos is incredibly dangerous. Asbestos fibers are made up of fine, hairlike crystals, and when broken they can be accidentally inhaled by those working around it. Asbestos dust can seriously harm lung tissue once breathed in. The damage is permanent and often fatal, which makes it all the more important to ensure your home is safe from asbestos. If you’re considering renovating or demolishing an older home, you need to contact a qualified demolition contractor that understands how best to dispose of asbestos, and how to safely proceed with demolition.
If a home improvement project involves tearing down a building, or part of a building, you need to make sure you and your loved ones are safe. Reach out to Nielsen Environmental, and let a qualified residential demolition contractor in Los Angeles, CA handle the rest.
