r/HomeImprovement • u/Strange_String_7781 • 2d ago

Help asbestos was sawed through

 

currently have a very old home that’s being renovated. one wall was taken down and we hired someone to put in an addition while the wall was taken off (so open to the outside but still inside the home). They used a circular saw to cut through about 15 feet of 9x9 asbestos tiles and asbestos linoleum which was overtop the tiles. what do I do now? is the house contaminated and how do I clean it if so?

My other question is that I’m staying in a RV trailer about 10 feet downwind from where this happened is the trailer now contaminated? my kids sleep in the RV sometimes when they’re there so I’m worried now for their safety. help I’m losing sleep over it😭

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5

u/BdaBng 2d ago

I am not a doctor or an expert but generally speaking health issues related to asbestos exposure seem to be reported significantly higher for repeated long term exposure. While this was not ideal I think this would be classified as a minimal expose for you. I’m definitely not trying to dismiss your concerns at all but in my humble opinion you are going to be just fine.

First thing, are you sure it’s asbestos containing tile? Many of that size and vintage are but some are not. If the tile itself does not contain asbestos the glue to install it also may or may not have it.

For your sanity hiring a professional crew that can come mitigate the situation may be best but also potentially costly.

8

u/Orechiette 2d ago

Please don’t worry. Health problems from asbestos happen because of prolonged exposure not from inhaling it on one project.

7

u/happyherbivore 2d ago

You're all very likely just fine. Your workers probably should be more prudent around asbestos though, it's a bigger problem for people who spend a lot of time working around it. If you're concerned you can always call a local abatement company to come do proper cleanup of the dust that's been kicked up, but the existing tile won't cause any issues unless disturbed further.

This one isolated event is not likely to cause problems.

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u/Strange_String_7781 2d ago

Thank you for this reply. I do worry about the workers health but I assume they must have known what it was. Unfortunately I would have to fly an abatement workers in which isn’t possible otherwise that would have been my first plan of action. Remote town problems lol. 

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u/No-Act-7333 2d ago

Please carefully research what is required to consider the problem resolved. Like others said, it is the repeated exposure that causes the most problems.

I've run into planning similar projects and just putting them on hold because of asbestos discovery. Too many old houses in my lifetime ;)

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u/wiserTyou 10h ago

Abatement is crazy expensive even when they're one town away. Realistically it's not that hard to plastic and set up containment. It's just a lot of tape and plastic. Cleaning is literally just with water. The goal is to not make dust and let it travel around.

I've taken several lead and asbestos courses. They're all the same and a little research will keep you safe.

To be clear, you can do it safely, but not legally lol. Shhhh.

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u/happyherbivore 2d ago

Then find yourself/suggest your worker finds a shopvac with dust filter bags, a hepa filter mask, some coveralls and gloves, and give everything a thorough twice-over. Be mindful of where the vacuum exhaust air is blowing to not have it make more dust airborne. It'll be okay. While a single exposure can theoretically cause problems decades down the road, it is probably no more likely than most other everyday hazards.

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u/sodone19 13h ago

Get your affairs in order

1

u/wiserTyou 10h ago

Don't overreact. Just clean everything thoroughly with water multiple times. Neither of those are friable but the sawing probably created dust. Clean up the dust and you'll be fine. Wear a n95 respirator while cleaning it and wash old clothes after, keeping them wrapped up in something to not spread dust.

Asbestos is a concern with repeated long term exposure or a significant exposure. A one off small exposure won't kill you.

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u/MixinBatches 1h ago

Remove everything and clean thoroughly with regular household cleaners. Wear a respirator while sweeping / vacuuming to avoid inhaling it. Once it’s clean, live your life and forget about it. One time exposure like that won’t cause you any long term health problems.