Asbestos Abatement

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were once touted as wonder materials but are now well-documented carcinogens and toxic substances.

SteamWay is a state certified asbestos abatement firm, fully licensed by the state of Virginia to perform asbestos abatement and removal in your property in Lynchburg Virginia, and surrounding areas.

Asbestos Overview

In the past, asbestos was widely used because of its natural properties like heat resistance, tensile strength, fire resistance, soundproofing quality, and durability against electrical and chemical damage. In fact, the word “asbestos” originates from an ancient Greek word that means “unquenchable.”

During the industrial era, the mining and production of asbestos began in earnest, with English and Italian firms opening mines in places like Russia, Canada, and South Africa. In the United States, production of the mineral expanded beginning in 1899.

Asbestos is commonly known nowadays as a hazardous material which is especially dangerous when the fibers are inhaled. Because it was widely used in the United States prior to being banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1989, asbestos can be found in many products even today, from fireproof clothing and electrical insulation to acoustic ceilings and building insulation.

All types of asbestos fibers are harmful to people. When exposed to these fibers, a person can develop the following conditions: 

• Lung cancer – A type cancer is similar to the lung cancer caused by smoking tobacco.
• Mesothelioma – A rare form of cancer that develops in the thin lining of the lungs, chest, digestive tract, and heart. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos.
• Asbestosis – A serious and progressive scarring of the lungs that occurs after many years of exposure to asbestos. It is not a form of cancer, but it causes progressive decline of pulmonary function and may lead to respiratory failure.

Asbestos Testing and Removal

At SteamWay, we understand how serious a threat exposure to asbestos fibers can be.

According to the Environmental Working Group, around 10,000 people die each year in the United States because of asbestos-related diseases. We are dedicated to protecting your loved ones and work colleagues from this danger.

Our team is certified to provide comprehensive asbestos abatement and removal services. In many cases, asbestos testing might be required to determine the presence of the hazardous material in your property. Once asbestos presence is confirmed, we will seal off your property and use negative pressure machines with high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filters to prevent asbestos fibers from escaping the area while removal is being done. The area will also be cleaned with a special Class H vacuum cleaner, which is the only proper vacuum equipment to use for asbestos removal.

Our team can check your property for asbestos in items like:

• Roof and attic insulation
• Roofing shingles
• Drywalls
• Tiles
• Ductwork connectors and insulation
• Fireproofing materials
• Pipe insulation
• Electrical wiring insulation
• and many more

If you have an old home or commercial property and are concerned about asbestos contamination because the property has been damaged by a disaster or because demolition or reconstruction needs to be performed, please call SteamWay at 434-845-2636. We can help you safely remove the asbestos from your home or place of business.