Frequently Asked Questions about Healthy Homes
Asbestos
Asbestos is found in over 3,000 products. Most likely in 9"x9" floor tiles, pipe insulation, boilers, "octopus" gravity furnaces and paper/board heat shields. If your home was build before 1970 there is a very good chance you have asbestos in your home!
Each and every job is different and no two homes are the same.
The cost ultimately depends on the labor and materials required to complete safely. In addition, there is disposal costs and air monitoring and/or permits for certain projects.
Residential Asbestos removal can range anywhere from $900 (small room or area) to $50,000+ (whole house)
Project pricing includes the costs of materials for setup and removal, disposal, air testing, yearly certification of all employees, workers compensation, automobiles, liability insurance and taxes.
Contact us for more information on our pricing for your project.
Asbestos Removal requires detailed planning and preperation. Only after an asbestos inspection and prepared scope of work should asbestos removal take place.
Once carefully planned, the process of asbestos abatement begins with the building of the work environment, or "containment". Immoveable objects remaining in the work area are protected from the air during removal. A series of decontamination chambers may be necessary depending on the work being done.
Next, the HEPA (High Efficency Patriculate Air 99.97%) negative air machines are setup with pre-filters and a HEPA filter in the work area with the plastic sheeting to create negative pressure and filtration of the air in the work area. This important setup for removal prevents cross-contamination of fibers/spores to other areas of your home.
Critical barriers and air locks on any HVAC openings in the work area to isolate the air during abatement. In some instances, a liquid agent is used to pre-treat the material before removal. The asbestos/mold is removed and prepared for disposal offsite. A thorough cleaning of the area with HEPA vacuums, wet wipes, and in some instances anti-microbial or fiber/lockdown solutions. Asbestos and other special material waste is placed into a special dumpster offsite and documentation is completed before it is taken to the landfill for handoff to the waste company.
No, if asbestos is in good condition and not "friable" (crumbling), it may not be harmful and can be left alone. If the asbestos is torn, cracked, or in pieces (like loose floor tiles), you should contact Healthy Homes.
According to the EPA, there is NO safe level of asbestos exposure. Dr. Riegel is in agreement with the EPA.
In some instances, (for example: basement asbestos floor tile removal, pipe repair, etc.) it is safe to stay in the home because the work is completed under HEPA negative air filtration and containment. This means the area that we are working in is under negative pressure and which traps and filters any potential asbestos fibers or mold spores down to 0.3 microns from cross-contamination into other areas of your home.
In some cases, the set up involved with the project is prohibitive to daily life in the home, so relocation is required.
General Questions
Unfortunately, we cannot accept samples that are brought in by an individual outside of our organization. Therefore, we require our team members to procure the sample.
In some instances, (for example: basement asbestos floor tile removal, pipe repair, etc.) it is safe to stay in the home because the work is completed under HEPA negative air filtration and containment. This means the area that we are working in is under negative pressure and which traps and filters any potential asbestos fibers or mold spores down to 0.3 microns from cross-contamination into other areas of your home.
In some cases, the set up involved with the project is prohibitive to daily life in the home, so relocation is required.
It depends on your insurance company, what's covered in your policy, and the situation at hand. Most insurance claims related to mold and or asbestos are due to “sudden and onset” situations, meaning an event happened like a pipe burst or a tree fell on the house.
Yes, typically our inspection and estimating service carries a fee.
In some instances, we may be able to provide rough estimates virtually with supplied pictures / video and measurements.
Please email office@healthyhomesinc.com or text 248-962-6095 with as much information as possible about your project.
Please keep in mind that every job is different and no two homes are the same. A detailed inspection is required before a formal proposed scope of work due to the safety and engineering controls required with each project.
Yes. Our company and all of its individuals carry a license asbestos abatement in the State of Michigan. Our asbestos removal company is Asbestos Removal Technologies, Inc. A copy of our current license can be requested via email.
Contact Dr. Riegel to consult with your specific questions or concerns regarding the products in your home
Mold
Not all molds are toxic. However, individuals react differently to mold exposure. People with compromised immune systems, elderly, and young children are most at risk by mold exposure. If you or any of your family members are feeling sick in your home, you may need a professional consultation with Dr. Riegel.
After water damage, bacteria/fungal (mold) growth can start in as little as 48-72 hours. If you have had recent water damage with an unpleasant musty odor, you may want to consider a Healthy Homes inspection.
Radon
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas emitted from natural occurring elemental radon or uranium buried under your home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Action Level" is 4.0 pCi/L (remediation is recommended). The average radon level in US homes is about 1.5 pCi/L and outside air is about 0.5 pCi/L. Dr. Riegel generally guarantees our systems to bring levels to below 2.0 pCi/L.
According to the EPA, radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.