Asbestos Removal
Rochester, NY

Rock Emergency has safely removed and disposed of more than 1 million pounds of asbestos!
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Asbestos: What is it?

Believe it or not, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Crazy right? It is found all over the world but was mined mostly from Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and North America. One of the largest deposits in the U.S. is the Coalinga deposit in California containing more than 50% asbestos minerals. 

Asbestos is a group of 6 minerals. Each is a fiber-like crystal that can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted. Under a microscope, asbestos will look like long crystal-like fibers. The shape and color vary depending on the type, but most are jagged, sharp, and needle-like (what makes them so dangerous).

The 6 naturally occurring minerals are broken down into two categories: amphibole and serpentine.

Amphibole Asbestos

  • Crocidolite
  • Amosite
  • Anthophyllite
  • Tremolite
  • Actinolite

Serpentine Asbestos

  • Chrysotile (white asbestos)

Common Asbestos
Products

From the 1800s to - 1970s, asbestos was widely used in building materials and other items. In earlier times, it was best known as a fire-resistant material that also happened to help with wall and ceiling insulation and strength. 

It was widely used all over the world until research began to show the toxic side effects of asbestos exposure. In 1979 regulations were enforced for the safer manufacturing of asbestos materials. By the 1980s, many manufacturers had stopped using asbestos in their materials and have since used safer alternatives such as polyurethane foam, amorphous silica fabric, cellulose fibers, and other non-toxic materials. 

Even though asbestos is highly toxic and dangerous, it is not banned in the United States. However, asbestos-containing materials are still highly regulated and any item containing asbestos must have less than 1%.

    Automotive
    Parts

    • Brakes (linings, pads, and disk)
    • Clutches
    • Paint and Sealants

    Construction Materials

    • Insulation (Vermiculate, Board, and Thermal)
    • Drywall
    • Roofing and Siding Materials
    • Tiles
    • Chemical and Electrical Insulation

    Plumbing
    Materials

    • Plumbing Materials
    • Gaskets
    • Plastics
    • Rubber
    • Pipe Insulation

    Other
    Products

    • Textiles
    • Fireproof Products (protective clothing, fireproof blankets)
    • Talc-based Cosmetics
    • Cement or Cement Sheets (as an additive)
    • Asphalt

    Common Asbestos
    Products

    From the 1800s to - 1970s, asbestos was widely used in building materials and other items. In earlier times, it was best known as a fire-resistant material that also happened to help with wall and ceiling insulation and strength. 

    It was widely used all over the world until research began to show the toxic side effects of asbestos exposure. In 1979 regulations were enforced for the safer manufacturing of asbestos materials. By the 1980s, many manufacturers had stopped using asbestos in their materials and have since used safer alternatives such as polyurethane foam, amorphous silica fabric, cellulose fibers, and other non-toxic materials. 

    Even though asbestos is highly toxic and dangerous, it is not banned in the United States. However, asbestos-containing materials are still highly regulated and any item containing asbestos must have less than 1%.

      Automotive
      Parts

      • Brakes (linings, pads, and disk)
      • Clutches
      • Paint and Sealants

      Construction Materials

      • Insulation (Vermiculate, Board, and Thermal)
      • Drywall
      • Roofing and Siding Materials
      • Tiles
      • Chemical and Electrical Insulation

      Plumbing
      Materials

      • Plumbing Materials
      • Gaskets
      • Plastics
      • Rubber
      • Pipe Insulation

      Other
      Products

      • Textiles
      • Fireproof Products (protective clothing, fireproof blankets)
      • Talc-based Cosmetics
      • Cement or Cement Sheets (as an additive)
      • Asphalt
      Image
      Asbestos Removal

      Asbestos Exposure
      Risks & Concerns

      Asbestos in its natural form is not hazardous and poses virtually no risk. The dangers come when asbestos breaks down into microscopic particles that can become airborne. Asbestos fibers or asbestos dust is extremely dangerous if it is inhaled. 

      Due to the nature of the particles, they can get lodged in the lungs causing an array of health issues. The most common is Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Airborne asbestos can’t be seen, smelled, felt, or tasted meaning you won’t even know you are breathing it in. Unlike other allergens, asbestos won’t make you cough or sneeze, or bother your breathing (until it’s too late).

      Asbestos-related diseases can take a long time to start causing symptoms, anywhere from 10-40 YEARS after exposure. During this time, you won’t even know there is a problem going on. 

      A majority of individuals who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness are due to their occupation (or a spouse’s occupation). Additionally, there is no set amount of asbestos exposure that will or won’t cause an illness. The more exposure there is, and for a longer time makes the risk higher for individuals. 

      Common occupations with the risk of asbestos exposure include construction workers, electricians, firefighters, military, miners, shipyard workers, and heavy industries. Families of the workers in these occupations often experienced secondhand exposure due to the asbestos dust or fibers being tracked into the home from their work area.

       

      Asbestos Removal
      FAQ's

       
      Chrysotile-Asbestos

      Asbestos
      Do's & Dont's

      DO’s

      • Leave any asbestos-containing materials alone if they are undamaged
      • Limit access to areas with known asbestos materials, especially children
      • Be mindful of asbestos material and avoid damaging these materials
      • Have asbestos testing conducted if you’re planning to make renovations to your home
      • Contact a professional asbestos abatement company to ensure the safe removal and disposal of asbestos

      DONT’S

      • Use a vacuum, broom, or duster to clean up debris from asbestos materials
      • Cut, sand, scrape, saw, or drill holes into materials containing asbestos
      • Use a power stripper to remove wax from asbestos flooring
      • Try to sand or level off asbestos flooring or its backing. If it needs to be replaced, cover it if possible
      • Track in asbestos fibers or materials on clothing or shoes. If unavoidable, use a wet mop to clean up.

      **When in doubt, call an asbestos professional like Rock Emergency for peace of mind**

      Tremolite-Asbestos
       

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      Asbestos Removal
      Costs

      When it comes to asbestos removal, the costs can vary. On average, the cost can range from $1,000 to $3,000 but can go $30,000 and up for whole-home remediation. Asbestos removal isn’t always the best option, and it may be safer to cover it up or encapsulate it (seal it with plastic sheeting) it.

      The asbestos removal process needs to be handled by a trained and certified professional. The area must first be sealed to ensure that if the asbestos fibers or dust become airborne they do not contaminate the rest of the home. 

      Following all OSHA and EPA regulations, Rock Emergency is fully capable of safely removing all contaminants. All of our team members wear the proper attire when handling hazardous materials and follow all safety protocols for removal and disposal. Additionally, specific equipment is used when remediating asbestos such as HEPA vacuums, special air filters, and other specialized equipment.

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      Why Choose Rock Emergency for Asbestos Removal?

      Asbestos is a harmful substance, and should always be treated as such. It may seem more cost-effective to try and resolve the issue yourself, but the risk to you and your family is too great. Asbestos Removal experts at Rock Emergency have all been HAZWOPER trained and IICRC certified. Additionally, all OSHA and EPA guidelines are followed to a T to ensure the safety of you, your family, as well as their health. 

      Being a full-service remediation company, if any additional work needs to be completed due to the asbestos damage, we can handle that for you. We also specialize in lead paint removal, soil remediation, mold remediation, and other types of damage caused by fire, water, or storm.

      Don’t try to take on the task of fighting asbestos yourself, let our trained professionals do it for you!

      Contact Us!