How It Actually Works: Our Asbestos Removal Process

Let’s be real. Having asbestos removed from your house is disruptive. It’s loud, it’s messy before it gets clean, and it involves a lot of plastic. We aren’t here to sugarcoat it. We’re here to do the job safely, legally, and completely so you never have to worry about it again.

We follow strict Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) regulations. That means no shortcuts. If you’re wondering what your house is going to look like while we’re working, here is exactly what to expect.

The Non-Negotiables (Applies to Most Jobs)

Before we get into the specifics of your project, here are the ground rules for how we operate:

You Clear the Room

Before we arrive, the work area needs to be empty. Furniture, wall hangings, personal items—if it can be moved, move it. We need a blank canvas to build our containment.

The Plastic Bubble

We use heavy-duty polyethylene plastic (4-mil to 6-mil thick) to seal off the work area. This keeps the rest of your house safe from microscopic fibers.

The Duct Tape Warning

We seal everything with industrial-grade duct tape. Yes, this tape might peel your paint when we take it down. No, there is no alternative tape we can use. L&I requires a completely airtight seal, and blue painter's tape isn't going to cut it. Plan on some touch-up painting after we leave.

Negative Air Pressure

We install heavy-duty HEPA negative air machines that exhaust out a window or door. These machines constantly filter the air and keep the containment sucked inward.

Decontamination Units (Decons)

For most jobs, we build a 3-chamber decontamination unit (about 9ft x 3ft) outside the work area. It’s how our crew safely enters and exits without bringing asbestos into your hallway.

Specific Project Expectations

Different materials require different approaches. Here is how we tackle the most common jobs we see.

Popcorn Ceilings & Drywall

When we scrape a ceiling or tear out drywall, things get wet. We use water to keep the asbestos fibers heavy so they don't float.

Walls and floors are completely wrapped in multiple layers of thick plastic.
Water is used continuously to suppress dust.
Air monitoring is conducted before, during, and after the removal.
Reminder: Once the popcorn is gone, you are left with bare, rough drywall. You will need a refinisher to mud, tape, and paint.

Vinyl Flooring

Flooring glue and tiles can be stubborn.

If we are working in your kitchen and leaving the cabinets, those cabinets get completely wrapped in plastic.
We never know exactly what the subfloor looks like until the vinyl is up. If we find rot or damage beneath the old floor, we will document it and let you know immediately.

Basement Duct Tape

Old heating ducts wrapped in asbestos tape usually go one of two ways:

Glove Bag System: If we can safely access the tape, we use specialized "glove bags" to contain the asbestos right on the pipe. It's surgical, safe, and doesn't require sealing the whole basement.
Full Containment: If the layout is messy or the glove bags won't work, we build a full containment setup in the basement, complete with negative air machines and decons.

Vermiculite (Attic Insulation)

Attic jobs are a different beast.

We build a containment room right outside the attic access point.
Your furnace must stay off during the entire project to stop airflow from spreading contamination.
You will have no heat and likely no lights in the contained areas. For your own comfort and sanity, we highly recommend you don't stay in the house while we do this.
After the vermiculite is out, we HEPA-vacuum the entire space.

Crawl Spaces

Working in the dirt means we do things a little differently.

We lay down 6-mil plastic over the dirt to create a barrier.
We use wet methods to scrape and wire-brush the asbestos.
We apply an approved asbestos encapsulant (a special sealant) to lock down any microscopic fibers left on the surfaces.
Because it's a dirt environment, we can't run standard air clearance tests (dirt inherently fails the test). Instead, we perform a rigorous visual clearance inspection.

Ready to Get It Done?

Asbestos removal isn't a DIY weekend project. It requires the right gear, the right training, and a company that isn't going to cut corners on your family's safety.

If you know what needs to be removed, or if you need an inspection to figure out what you're dealing with, let’s talk.

Get a Free Estimate Call us: 206-786-6667