Got ASBESTOS?

How Do I Know?

• Have you been told by your plumber that you may have asbestos insulation on your heating pipes or boiler?  Maybe you are replacing a floor and your contractor asked if the floor tiles were VAT or vinyl asbestos floor tiles. Asbestos siding - also known as transite- was a popular choice for extererior homes built prior to 1975.  But now you're remodeling and it has become an issue.
• The bad news is, there are over 500 products which contain asbestos.  If you click the following link, it will list the types of materials which may contain asbestos http://www.epa.gov/Region06/6pd/asbestos/asbmatl.htm
• The good news is, for relatively little expense, ($42.00/sample) Banner will send a licensed asbestos inspector to collect a sample, hand deliver it to a licensed accredited lab for analysis, and send the results to you - usually within the span of two business days. 
• If the material proves positive for asbestos, we will provide a free, no-obligation estimate to remove (aka abate) and dispose of the asbestos.

Can I Do It Myself?

• The EPA recommends that if the damaged area is smaller than the size of your hand, it is considered a minor repair and with proper training, the repairs can be done by yourself. The choice to remove the asbestos yourself is not recommended by the EPA,
• .As a general matter, any damaged area which is bigger than the size of your hand is not a minor repair and should always be done by professionals.
• Why? Because if repairs are done improperly, even if the repairs are minor, you can create a hazard where none existed. There is always a risk of exposure to fibers when asbestos is disturbed.
• The most important fact to remember about asbestos is --- If it is not damaged, LEAVE IT ALONE!!  If it is damaged, let the professionals handle it.

How Much Will It Cost...

• Now we're finally getting down to business!  As you suspected, the cost depends on multiple factors - the amount of the asbestos material, the condition of the asbestos, and the type and location of the asbestos. The single factor responsible for driving up the cost of removal is whether there is asbestos contamination in the surrounding area (this often happens when asbestos removal has been performed improperly)
• Generally, rule of thumb estimates for asbestos removal can be misleading.   That is why we cannot provide estimates over the website. However, we offer the next best thing -a free, no obligation estimate  Toll Free 866-934-2374.
• If you have an email address or fax machine, you will have a written estimate in your hand usually within 2 business days.

To Buy or Not to Buy...

• That is the question facing prospective homeowners after the realtor or home inspector indicates there may be asbestos in the home
• Since time is of the essence in real estate transactions, you need to know the financial implications involved with asbestos removal and you need to know fast
• If this sounds like you, Banner Environmental is happy to speak with you or your broker - please call 866-934-2374

Vermicu-what?...

• Vermiculite.  That is one of the names for the light, popcorn-like substance found in between the rafters in some attics.  Unfortunatley, there are specific technical issues involving vermiculite sampling that can complicate testing for the presence of asbestos fibers and interpreting the risk from exposure.The EPA has published the following website which you may find helpful in deciding how to handle vermiculite http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/insulation.html

This website was developed exclusively for Banner Environmental Services using information and recommendations supplied by the US Environmental Protection Agency.