Dangers caused by asbestos and lead require special handling of given materials. Since these hazards came to light after many existing buildings were in place, they often must be removed after a natural disaster.

Asbestos was used widely for insulation, sound deadening and strength in building materials until 1978, when it was phased out. It is common in heating duct insulation, acoustic spray ceilings, flooring and glues, roofing material and glues, drywall mud, exterior stucco, exhaust and water piping, pipe insulation and house siding. Because the removal of asbestos is federally regulated, only certified workers can remove it. Our subsidiary’s technicians are certified in removal, encapsulation and repair of construction materials containing asbestos.

The addition of lead to paint and solder as a means of reinforcement was common until 1978, when federal legislation banned the use of lead in paint due to health concerns. Additional regulations concern testing protocols, worker training and disposal parameters. Our subsidiary is qualified in the lead paint removal process, which includes complete component removal, encapsulation, wet scraping or sanding and chemical stripping of painted surfaces.