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Q. To what Geographical Areas
does Homeguard Provide Service?
A. Homeguard services Fairfield
and New Haven Counties in Connecticut, and Westchester County in New
York.
Q. Does Homeguard perform Asbestos or Lead Inspections, or any Laboratory
Services?
A. No. As an Abatement Company,
Homeguard is not licensed to conduct inspections, and Inspection Companies
generally are not licensed to perform abatement functions. Many years
ago, however, it was not uncommon for asbestos or lead abatement companies
to perform inspections. This no longer holds true. It is also to the
owner's benefit to have separate companies performing these tasks.
Q. How much does Lead or Asbestos Abatement Cost?
A. The costs are fair and
commensurate with fees charged for other skilled professional services
in the home. Over the past 10 years, the cost for Asbestos Abatement
has dropped considerably. This is due, for the most part, to improved
technologies, greater efficiency from workers who now have a good deal
more experience, and more streamlined operations. The actual cost of
an Asbestos Abatement is determined by a combination of factors, including
but not limited to the amount of Asbestos, its condition, accessibility,
and the actual layout of the workspace. These issues along with current
labor and material costs play important roles in project cost development.
Lead abatement also
has many important variables that must be considered. Are components
such as windows, doors, and trim going to be stripped, or removed and
replaced? What quality and cost will the new components carry? Was there
existing lead dust contamination? Based on the answers to these questions
as well as others, the cost of a lead abatement project can be determined.
Q. Why Should I Select Homeguard as my Environmental Contractor?
A. Homeguard�s reputation,
built up over fifteen years of successful and exemplary service in the
community, speaks for itself. Just as with any other company with whom
you�re considering doing business, you'll want to check that the contractor
is licensed, and that they are in good standing with the State Regulatory
Agencies. Ask the contractor for references, as well as for details
on insurance coverage.
Q. Can I remove Asbestos or Lead Hazards in my own home?
A. For many reasons, attempting
to be your own environmental contractor can have disastrous results.
First of all, you run the risk of contaminating your home and exposing
yourself and your family to greater risks than might already be present.
Secondly, you leave yourself liable for possible stiff fines, since
State regulations are very specific concerning notification requirements
for all asbestos projects, and the requirement that abatement only be
performed by a licensed abatement contractor, and that the disposal
of asbestos-containing materials be conducted only by certified personnel.
Finally, in the event you decide to sell your property, an amateur job
will always leave telltale signs - either residue on the pipes or fibers
in the air - which will be easily be detected by any Home Inspector.
The cleanup of a property thus contaminated is generally far more costly
than having the abatement done properly in the first place. Licensing
issues are similar for most lead abatement projects as well.
Q. My roof and siding was identified as having Asbestos. Can I have non-licensed
workers remove the material?
A. Yes. Under recently passed
legislation in Connecticut, non-licensed workers are now permitted to
remove roofing and siding, provided they have received proper training
in accordance with OSHA guidelines. Disposal of the material, however,
remains regulated, and may only be performed by certified personnel
and in EPA-certified landfills.
Q. What is asbestos and why is it harmful?
A. Asbestos is a mineral
that was processed and used in many different building materials. Until
its harmful potential was discovered, it was in wide use due to its
insulating and fire retardant qualities. When these materials become
worn or damaged, they may start releasing asbestos fibers into the air.
These airborne fibers may become lodged in the respiratory or digestive
tract and cause health problems.
Q. Are the asbestos containing floor tiles, siding, and shingles on my
home harmful?
A. Normally, these materials
do not present a concern. They become a hazard only when they are damaged
by fire or by mechanical forces and have the potential to release fibers
into the air.
Q. Is asbestos used any more?
A. Asbestos is still used
in some materials such as brake pads and certain roofing materials.
Q. How does asbestos cause disease?
A. Bundles of asbestos fibers
break down into smaller and smaller fibers. These fibers lodge in the
lining of the lungs causing scarring. The scarring continues even after
exposure is stopped. The fibers also can lodge in the lining of the
digestive tract. Asbestos is and mesothelioma are two diseases caused
exclusively by asbestos exposure. A link has also been shown between
asbestos exposure and lung cancer.
Q.There seems to be quite a concern about asbestos in schools. Why?
A. A large percentage of
schools across the country contain asbestos materials. Schools are required
to monitor the condition of the asbestos in their building and to have
a management plan in place. The greatest concern is prevention of children's
exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.
Q. Are other factors related to development of asbestos disease?
A. A smoker who is exposed
to asbestos is much more likely to develop asbestos-related disease
than a non-smoker. |
