Water Leak Evolves Into Abatement

Water damage is a stressful situation for a homeowner without it snowballing into other problems. However, when called in quickly, professionals can usually contain the water damage and limit the effects. Recently, in Imperial Beach, we performed a water restoration for a client where a leaky pipe led to the need for a contractor to perform professional asbestos abatement.

Apartment Asbestos Abatement

The client is a member of the military and rents an apartment in Imperial Beach. We were called to mitigate water damage where a burst pipe damaged the slab of drywall in the apartment. We performed emergency services by extracting the water and setting up drying equipment to stabilize the environment. Under regulations, we then tested the damaged drywall joint compound for asbestos, which came back positive.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber used in building materials because of its strength and heat-resistant properties. Asbestos is most dangerous when it is friable, meaning it is easily crumbled by hand and releasing fibers into the air. Thankfully, there were only low traces of asbestos found, and none was present in the air. However, since it is incredibly toxic to humans, its use has been banned under various EPA acts and, when found, requires removal. 

The job became a little more complex as the owner then had to decide between repairing the pipe in the slab or re-routing it, which would take asbestos abatement into currently unaffected areas of the apartment. The most important part of any job we do is to communicate with all the appropriate parties to be on the same page. 

We finished drying and repairing the water damage in the apartment. Since we are not licensed to do asbestos abatement, we contracted a licensed contractor to come in to do this part of the job. Only shallow traces of asbestos were found in the drywall, so an abatement contractor came in, isolated the affected area, and removed the recommended materials.

Call the Professionals at PuroClean of Clairemont for Water and Biohazard Cleanup Services

Water damage is the most common type of property damage in North America. Likewise, asbestos was a common building material that can still be found in properties everywhere. The restoration professionals at PuroClean are ready to provide full property remediation if your home or business is stricken by these common issues. Call us at (858) 869-1313.