Steps to Take After a Positive Asbestos Test Result

What Does a Positive Asbestos Test Result Mean

A positive asbestos result means that one or more materials in your home or building contain asbestos fibers. This could include insulation, floor tiles, ceiling texture, roofing materials, or even drywall joint compounds. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are more common in properties built before the 1980s.

The key thing to understand here is that asbestos becomes dangerous when it’s disturbed or damaged. It releases microscopic fibers into the air that can be inhaled. Long-term exposure to ACM has been linked to serious health issues, including lung disease and mesothelioma. According to the American Public Health Association, each year, an estimated 255,000 people worldwide die from asbestos-related cancers and respiratory disease.

But a positive result doesn’t mean you need to leave the place and run away.

Your Next Steps After Positive Asbestos Test Results

Here are the steps recommended by the experts. You need to follow these if your property has asbestos:

Don’t Disturb the Material

You may get the first thought to scrap it off, clean it up, or remove the material yourself. That’s the most dangerous move you could make. Disturbing asbestos-containing material (ACM) releases microscopic fibers into the air. Inhaling these fibers can lead to severe health issues, such as:

• Mesthelioma
• Asbestosis
• Lung Cancer

If the material is intact, sealed, and in good condition, it is better to leave it undisturbed until professionals handle it.

Call a Licensed Asbestos Consultant

After receiving a positive result, you need a licensed asbestos professional to assess the situation. The expert will determine:

• The extent of contamination.
• Whether the asbestos is friable or non-friable.
• The risk level is based on the material condition and location.

This assessment helps to determine the next steps, whether you need removal, encapsulation, or ongoing monitoring.

Notify the Right People

Depending on your situation, you may need to notify:

• Your local health or environmental agency.
• Tenants or occupants (if it’s a rental property).
• Contractors or renovators (if it’s a remodeling project).

State laws often mandate that tenants be informed if asbestos is present and being remediated. 

Plan for Temporary Relocation

In many cases, you won’t need to move out during asbestos abatement, especially if the affected area is sealed off. However, if it is in your bathroom, kitchen, near the ductwork, or if there are children and elderly family members in the home, a temporary relocation is recommended.

Understand the Asbestos Removal Process

Once the presence of asbestos is confirmed at your place, and experts recommend removing the material, you’ll enter the asbestos abatement phase. This phase involves the following steps:

Hiring a Certified Asbestos Abatement Contractor

According to the strict Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and state regulations, it is a must to keep everyone safe during abatement. Only licensed abatement professionals should handle asbestos.

Preparing the Work Area

This step includes: 

• Sealing off the affected space with plastic sheeting.
• Shutting off HVAC systems to prevent fiber spread.
• Creating negative air pressure zones to contain fibers.

Safe Removal & Cleanup

The trained workers wear full protective suits and respirators. Materials are carefully removed, double-bagged, and labeled as hazardous waste.

Final Clearance Testing

It is the last step of the asbestos removal process. After removal, an independent third party may conduct air monitoring tests to ensure the space is safe to occupy.

Avoid Renovations Until Abatement is Complete

If you were remodeling or demoing before the test, pause all work immediately. Cutting, sanding, or drilling asbestos-containing materials before professional removal can drastically increase health risks.

If you need to renovate the place, you have to get asbestos testing and abatement. Document everything to obtain a renovation permit.

Keep All Documentation

After an asbestos removal process, you’ll receive:

• A clearance report or air test results.
• Waste shipment records.
• Abatement work logs.
• Contractor credentials and licensing info.

Keep these all in a file. If you are ever selling the property, this documentation shows due diligence and gives buyers confidence that the asbestos was safely handled and removed. 

Monitor the Area Over Time

Even after removal or encapsulation, you’ll want to keep an eye on the previously affected area. Therefore, follow-up with regular inspections is a must. If the asbestos-containing material was encapsulated despite being removed, it’s crucial to monitor it. The encapsulation is often safe and cost-efficient, but it is not a permanent solution.

Final Thoughts

A positive asbestos test result isn’t the end of the world. It is just a signal to pause and act carefully. Millions of homes across the U.S. still contain asbestos in some form. What matters most is how you handle it. 

By following the proper steps, hiring licensed pros, and understanding the asbestos removal process, you can keep your family or tenants safe and your property compliant. You can hire the asbestos-certified inspectors from GreenWorks Inspections & Engineering, who can inspect your place safely and guide you through the next steps according to asbestos results.

Schedule an inspection now and make your place safe to live.