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Hiring an asbestos abatement company, and not doing it yourself, is the wisest and safest decision when it comes to removing asbestos from any residential, commercial or public building. Asbestos abatement companies will properly test for the toxic mineral, follow strict regulations and processes, and carry the right abatement removal equipment to keep them, others and you safe from exposure.

Understanding the Dangers of Asbestos

Although asbestos isn’t banned in the U.S., its use is limited. However, asbestos-containing materials (ACM) still pose a danger to the public because they were common building products in homes, schools and other structures built before the 1980s.

Asbestos abatement involves the identification, removal, repair, and encapsulation of materials or products in a structure to eliminate the threat of exposure to toxic asbestos fibers. It’s best handled by a professional asbestos abatement company.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings

Because asbestos doesn’t burn, it was used in many products to resist heat. The “miracle mineral” made these asbestos-containing materials valuable to the building industry.

Environmental contractors are knowledgeable about sustainable building practices, green construction, and how to clean up a piece of land that is unsafe for construction or use. They often provide solutions after contamination or are involved in building projects. They could also give advice on the prevention of contamination or environmental dangers.

Essential Information

Environmental contractors perform various types of environmental construction and remediation tasks for the private and public sectors. Such tasks include promoting green construction practices, reviving land area, and cleaning up hazardous materials. Those interested in devoting their lives to helping create a sustainable future should consider this career. Like other environmental specialists and scientists, these workers typically possess a bachelor’s degree.

Required Education Bachelor’s degree

Other Requirements Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications
Projected Job Growth (2018-2028)* 8% (for environmental scientists and specialists, including health)

Job Description for an Environmental Contractor

Environmental contractors are usually hired after a building or land area has been deemed unusable or unsafe due to chemical or biological contamination. They perform required restoration or cleanup activities to make the area safe or suitable for use. These contractors may be involved with emergency response teams when natural disasters introduce debris or other contaminants that put the public in danger into the environment.

Environmental contractors also participate in sustainable building projects, including using environmentally-friendly materials and processes to restore existing structures. These practices promote recycling and prevent erosion control. Environmentally-friendly practices also help conserve energy and other natural resources. They also reduce air and water pollution.

Many environmental contractors hold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) professional credentials, which certify their knowledge of green building practices and the LEED building rating system. Candidates can acquire and maintain credentials, such as the LEED Green Associate or the LEED AP, by taking the required number of continuing education credits and passing the corresponding exam.

Job Duties

Environmental contractors are often responsible for assessing the condition of a contaminated site and determining the actions required to make it safe for use. These assessments may include recommending the removal of hazardous waste, asbestos, and mold. Contractors may oversee the cleanup of infectious, biohazard, chemical, or sewage contaminants. They also might be involved in brownfield and Superfund site restoration.

Like environmental engineers, environmental contractors provide clients with solutions to their contamination problems once contamination has occurred. However, the contractor might also advise clients on how to prevent environmental hazards. Contractors should have detailed knowledge of the regulations established by government organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). They might also recommend ways to restore or renovate infrastructural systems to reduce the system’s negative effects on the environment.

Salary Info and Job Outlook

PayScale.com reports that the median salary for environmental consultants as of 2019 was $55,243. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the related fields of environmental science and occupational health and safety are expected to grow in employment by approximately 8% and 6%, respectively, during the decade spanning from 2018 to 2028.

Environmental contractors are hired for green building projects, cleanup of contaminated land or sites, to give advice and find solutions to environmental dangers or problems. They typically have a bachelor’s degree and knowledge about how to assess a site and find environmental solutions.
Businesses specializing in such services as environmental consulting and testing, wildlife/stream/soil assessments, scientific research, and GIS mapping are helping governments protect the environment.

State, local and federal government agencies are recognizing the value in proactively spending money on environmental services upfront to avoid paying a steeper cost down the road – opening a wide window for vendors to take advantage of government contracting opportunities.

Onvia offers a comprehensive database of government contracts, invaluable to vendors in these fields. Our deep industry knowledge helps us provide the resources that environmental services providers need to grow their business in the public sector; you can view related content below:

There are only a few forces of nature that are as destructive as fire. It can strike anywhere and at any time, without a warning. Fire damage restoration in residential and commercial buildings can be a tough task to handle. It requires the experience, expertise, and skills of professionals. They have the right tools and know what to do in case of fire damage in a property. They will bring back your residential or commercial property back to normal in a short time post-fire damage.

This is why everyone relies on fire damage restoration experts to handle fire damage and restore the property to the best possible condition. Here are 5 steps that professionals take for fire damage restoration in residential and commercial properties.

1.      Inspection

The first step in fire damage restoration process is the inspection of the affected property. Certified technicians visit the property to ascertain how much damage was caused by fire. This helps them develop a plan on how to clean and restore your property. Once the inspection is complete, they start the restoration process as soon as possible as waiting too long will only worsen the damage.

2.      Clearing Out Odors

Professionals will take measures to clear out odors from the property. This will be done using professional equipment. Smoke contains corrosive and unhealthy substances. Leaving it inside the property will only worsen the damage and will also cause health problems. Thus, experts try to get smoke and odors out of the property as soon as they can so that they can begin with the cleaning process.

3.      Removal of Residue

After odor and smoke removal, fire damage restoration teams start cleaning the property of soot. This includes cleaning soot from ceilings, floors, and the walls. They take all the necessary measures to prevent any damage to the property from corrosion. Mold growth is also taken into consideration and all the necessary actions are taken to prevent it. Phosphate is used to remove soot. Complete removal of soot may require these steps to be repeated multiple times.

4.      Protection of Unaffected Sections

If there are some areas in the property that were not damaged by soot, professional fire damage restoration experts will close off these areas to prevent any damage. They will also ask you to remove the furniture, appliances, carpets and all other things in the undamaged area and put them in storage until the restoration process is completed. This will protect them from any damage.

5.      Repaint, Repair and Replace

Once the ground is set for restoration services, odors are removed and soot is cleaned, professionals will see if any areas of the house need to be repainted. The flooring may also need replacement after all the scrubbing and sanding. The same goes for carpeting. Professionals will determine what parts of the property need to be repainted and what things need to be repaired or replaced.

These were some steps taken by fire damage restoration professionals for fire damage cleanup. Fire damage cleanup and restoration must be left to experts as they know how to handle this task. If your property has undergone fire damage, then call the fire damage restoration experts.

Mold can be a serious problem for residential buildings, especially if it goes undetected. It easily spreads and grows everywhere. Your carpets, food, clothing, drywall and even the insides of walls are not safe from this menace. You can also find mold growing above ceiling tiles and condensing or leaking pipes. In short, it can grow anywhere and everywhere.

Removal of mold can be a costly affair. Therefore, it is best to do all we can to prevent mold growth in our residential properties. By preventing it from growing and expanding before it becomes a serious problem, we can nip the problem in the bud and save on costs. Here are some tips that can help prevent mold growth in your property and save you from costly repairs.

1.      Tackle Repairs and Wet Areas Right Away

The main cause of mold growth is excessive moisture. You can control and prevent mold growth if you keep your indoor moisture in check. Here are some ways to do it:

• Fix leaks and other plumbing issues as soon as you find out about them.
• Dry all damp and wet spots in the house within a couple of days.
• Clean your roof gutters regularly. It is one of the most common reasons for mold growth and goes unchecked until a lot of damage has already been done.

2.      Use Mold-Resistant Products

If you have faced the issue of mold growth in your residential property before, then it is best to take preventive measures to avoid facing the issue again. There are various moisture-resistant products that you can use.

• To reduce moisture indoors, place the appliances that generate moisture, such as dryers, outdoors whenever it is possible.
• There are different mold-resistant products that you can use. These include mold-resistant sheetrock, mold inhibitors for paint, and mold-resistant drywall.
• Keep an eye on your plants and check them regularly for mold. Add Taheebo tea to the plants while you water them to prevent mold growth in the soil.

3.      Monitor and Regularly Maintain Your HVAC Systems

Poorly maintained HVAC systems are another common reason for mold growth in residential and commercial buildings. This creates too much moisture indoors which leads to mold. Thus, it is important to keep your HVAC units well-maintained to prevent mold growth.

• Make sure that the drip pans of the HVAC unit are unobstructed, flowing properly, and are clean.
• The indoor humidity level should be maintained between 30% and 50% RH.
• Check for signs of excess humidity and moisture. These include condensation on walls, pipes, and windows.
• Keep your indoors well-ventilated. Open the windows and doors if the air outside is dry and cold. If the outside air is humid and warm, it is best to use a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels in check.

These were some simple yet effective tips that can help prevent the growth of mold in residential properties. Remember, prevention is much better than costly repairs. If you notice any signs of mold growth in your house, call the mold removal experts at EE&G right away at (305) 374-8300. As the leading mold removal service in Florida, we can help solve all of your problems in no time.