While sending a tile off to the lab can make an identification of the type of asbestos the same procedure is followed in the removal of asbestos ceiling tiles no matter its type.
Testing ceiling tiles for asbestos.
If you suspect a material within your home might contain asbestos for example floor tile ceiling tile or old p ipe wrap and the material is damaged fraying or falling apart or if you are planning on performing a renovation that would disturb the material the epa recommends that you have it sampled by a properly trained and accredited asbestos professional inspector.
Removing asbestos ceiling tiles which do not need to be broken sanded cut or drilled can be removed with these steps.
Acoustic ceiling tiles with asbestos.
If you can not see a flooring brand name or pattern for your ceiling tile material as you usually won t you should either test for asbestos or treat the ceiling tile as presumed to contain asbestos.
These sound dampening tiles typically use asbestos with amphibole fibres occurring as columnar crystals which includes crocodilite and amosite.
The definitive way to find out if tiles contain asbestos is to have them tested.
Step 2 prepare the area where you will take the sample from.
In ceiling tiles asbestos is most commonly used for reducing the amount of noise that spreads from one room to another.
If you are going to take your own ceiling sample for asbestos testing you will need to wear protective clothing such as a mask goggles gloves and clothing that covers as much of you body as possible.
Also it helps to know whether or not a pre paid mailer is included.
Chrysotile asbestos one of the most commonly used asbestos fibers was used in production of some ceiling materials.
You can either engage an asbestos remediation expert or obtain a test kit for which you ll remove a flooring sample.
Asbestos in ceiling tiles.
Other times you pay twice.
A small fee for the kit then a larger fee for the lab results.
How to remove asbestos ceiling tiles.
As a general rule of thumb any old ceiling tiles should be treated as though they contain asbestos.
When pricing out asbestos testing kits be sure to ascertain whether you must pay twice.
Sometimes the initial asbestos testing kit includes both the kit fee and the laboratory fee.
If you know nothing about the ceiling and can not remove it without making a dusty and potentially hazarous mess the you may want to have a sample tested.
Polarized light microscopy is a technique often used to identify this substance.
Testing these samples is considered to be the only way to positively identify asbestos ceiling tiles and other materials containing asbestos.
Place a tarp under the ceiling area and turn off any heating or cooling systems.
Of the two.