Who should I hire for asbestos testing?
10 March, 2022Unfortunately, asbestos is relatively common in New Zealand homes, businesses, and commercial properties. And one of the most difficult parts is that you probably don’t even know it’s there.
That’s why it’s important to carry out asbestos testing, to find out if there is asbestos present and if you should do something about it for your own safety, and that of anyone else on site. It’s especially important to have asbestos testing done if you live in an older property, or if you are planning renovations.
But is this something you can do yourself, or do you need to hire a professional for asbestos testing?
DIY asbestos testing
It is possible to purchase an asbestos test kit and do your own test, however these kits can be a little misleading.
When you buy an asbestos test kit, you will need to take a sample from your property, then simply send it to a lab to be tested. You do not actually do the testing yourself.
Some test kits come with safety equipment, including gloves, a dust mask, and coveralls to keep any asbestos from your clothing. If you are planning to do an asbestos test yourself, it is absolutely vital that you use this personal protective equipment, and follow the instructions carefully for taking them off and disposing of them.
If your test kit does not include these items, you will need to buy them to secure your safety as you take and handle the sample.
Hiring a professional for safe asbestos testing
PRO Environmental Services offers professional asbestos testing, which includes one of specialist technicians visiting your site to take a sample.
While on site, our specialist will wear full PPE to ensure their protection, and offer you advice for how to stay out of harm’s way both during the sample taking and following the test.
Since our specialists know what to look for and which areas need to be tested, we can quickly determine which areas are most high risk, and ensure we get good samples to tell us if there is asbestos present. Following the sample collection, we will ensure the area is sealed with encapsulation so we don’t accidentally leave possible asbestos sources exposed and dangerous.
We will have the sample tested in a lab and get the result back to you as soon as possible, usually within a just 24-48 hours of the test.
A negative result means peace of mind, and the ability to move forward with your plans without worrying about health outcomes. But a positive result is not the end of the world, as we can offer advice on the best way forward, whether that means containing the asbestos or removing it entirely.
Should you require safe asbestos removal from your property, PRO Environmental Services offers a professional, reliable service. We are an approved Grade A and Grade B asbestos removal company, which means we can safely remove both friable and non-friable asbestos sources.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about having an asbestos test done at your home, business, or industrial property, or for a free, no-obligation quote for removal.
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