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Galbestos - Asbestos Containing Hazardous Material It may be “Galbestos”. This is a process used from the late 1940s until 1979 which involved carbon steel that was galvanized, and while the zinc component was molten, asbestos felt was pressed into it. An asphalt layer was applied under pressure on top of the asbestos layer. A color coat is then applied on top, and this layer may or may not have asbestos in it. This material was used as a protection from metal corrosion and more commonly found on the east coast where weather more severely impacts metal with corrosion. This material looks deceptively like painted metal and when considering renovations, the asbestos present in the material may not be detected. Weathering of the color coat is similar in appearance to weathered paint and this weathering may expose the asphalt layer below and with the asbestos fibers exposed, and with disturbance, they may become airborne presenting a health risk from exposure to unwary painters and renovators. Attempts to remove the asbestos using conventional methods (hand scraping) typically have very limited success, and water blasting also are not completely successful as shown below.  A better result is obtained by water blasting but it is still an incomplete removal.  A more cost-effective option if the material is in damaged, may be to encapsulate or enclose It to minimize risk of exposure, or the complete removal of the component may also be considered.
Avoid problems. Prior to undertaking a building renovation or demolition it is important to have a proper asbestos investigation completed to avoid lengthy and costly delays as well as potential regulatory action. Contact us at (888) 608-3010 or info@altaenviron.com . Comments are closed.
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