Out with the asbestos—ASAP
On average, asbestos removal takes one to five days.
The location of asbestos-containing materials affects the removal timeline.
Asbestos abatement costs between $5 and $20 per square foot.
For homes built before the 1980s that contain asbestos, removal is critical to ensure your household's safety. A material once valued for its fire-resistant properties is now known to pose serious health risks. But how long does asbestos removal take? For most homes, it takes less than five days to get rid of asbestos. Learn about the average abatement timeline to help you plan your project.
On average, asbestos removal can take one to five days, but the exact timeline varies based on your asbestos issue. Removing asbestos from small areas, like a single room could take just one day. Larger areas, whether it's whole-home removal or multiple rooms, require an extended timeline.
Asbestos in ceiling tiles or floor coverings is easier to remove than asbestos-containing materials in walls or roofs, which makes the removal more complex. The condition of the asbestos could speed up the timeline. For safety reasons, your abatement pro will likely expedite the project if the material is damaged or deteriorating.
Asbestos removal requires hiring a local asbestos abatement professional. The meticulous process and health risks associated make it a project best left to the experts.
Here's what you can expect during removal:
Containment: The removal space is sealed off with plastic sheeting. Air ducts are sealed to prevent airborne fibers from spreading to other areas in the home. The HVAC system will be turned off.
Removal: The pro will use specialized tools and methods to remove the asbestos-containing material to minimize fiber release.
Disposal: Removed materials are placed in dedicated disposal bags with a secure seal. All bags are removed following local and federal guidelines to prevent environmental contamination.
Final Inspection: The entire area is thoroughly cleaned to remove residual fibers.
Asbestos hasn't been used in homes since before the 1980s, but older houses may still have asbestos-containing materials. In some cases, asbestos that remains undisturbed and secured doesn't pose an immediate danger. However, certain instances make removal necessary, including:
Renovations or Demolition: If you’re planning a renovation that may disturb asbestos-containing materials, removal is required before work can begin.
Damaged or Deteriorating Materials: Damaged asbestos materials, like frayed insulation or crumbling floor tiles, can release harmful fibers into the air.
Health Symptoms: Anyone in the home experiencing ongoing respiratory issues, like coughing or shortness of breath, in a known asbestos area should remove asbestos immediately.
Inspection: If a professional inspection reveals loose asbestos, immediate removal may be the safest option. You can buy a DIY asbestos testing kit or hire a professional asbestos tester near you to know for sure if asbestos is present.
"You may wonder whether it's okay to stay in your home while asbestos mitigation work is underway. Asbestos is a health hazard and is a risk to anyone exposed to the asbestos fibers. While there might be specific times when you can stay in the home during the mitigation process, it is not worth risking the health and safety of your family, leave your home.”
–John Brewster, Owner of True North Home Inspections, LLC
It costs homeowners between $450 and $6,000 to remove asbestos, with the average homeowner paying around $2,200. The size of the space is one of the most notable asbestos removal cost factors, and abatement averages between $5 and $20 per square foot. The types of asbestos-containing material, location, and disposal will also influence your cost.
Living in a house with asbestos can be safe if the asbestos-containing materials are intact and undisturbed. However, asbestos poses risks when its fibers become airborne. Although asbestos in good condition can be encapsulated rather than removed, regular professional inspections are recommended to prevent health risks from potential exposure.
Asbestos fibers can stay airborne for 48 to 72 hours, depending on the home's ventilation. Fibers can linger longer in enclosed spaces with poor airflow. Because the fibers are microscopic, they can easily remain suspended, making them difficult to detect without professional equipment.
The first signs of asbestos exposure include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and wheezing, but they appear years after initial contact. Symptoms start out subtle, and many mistake them for common respiratory issues. As exposure effects worsen, symptoms progress to fatigue and difficulty breathing. Because asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis or mesothelioma develop slowly, early detection through a medical professional is essential if you have a known history of exposure.
