Water Damage Restoration & Asbestos Testing in Colorado – When Do You Need to Test?

8/10/2018 (Permalink)

This shows the demolition process on drywall in a garage in a Breckenridge home. We had to perform asbestos testing before we removed the drywall.

As water restoration specialists in Colorado, our team at SERVPRO of Summit, Lake, Park & Eagle Counties knows the regulations for asbestos testing in this state well. Every state has different regulations that govern the rules for when you are required to test for asbestos. It’s our job to help you navigate the question of when to do an asbestos test, and we will work closely with you to determine whether you need to perform a test during your project.

You probably have questions about why asbestos testing is even necessary. “Isn’t that something older homes need? My home was only built a few years ago!” you might be thinking.

Keep reading to learn more about the laws for asbestos testing.

What You Need to Know as a Colorado Property Owner

Some water damage restoration jobs require demolition in order to restore the property to its preloss condition. If this demolition disturbs enough manmade material, the job will require asbestos testing. As a customer, you can rely on us to tell you exactly when we will need to test for asbestos during your water restoration project.

The amount of manmade building material being removed from the structure will determine whether or not you’ll need to test for asbestos. Regardless of the material’s age, once a certain threshold is reached, asbestos testing is required by law.

The threshold for testing is determined by type of material being removed. So, there are different thresholds for different materials.

Manmade materials are classified into 3 categories:

• Surfacing materials, like drywall texture or popcorn ceilings
• Thermal system insulation, which is used to insulate heating systems and water pipes
• Miscellaneous materials, like wallboard or shingles

Trigger Levels: When to Test in Your Home or Business

It’s important to understand the threshold levels for asbestos testing are different for residential homes and commercial properties. If demolition for the water restoration project exceeds any of the following trigger levels, asbestos testing is required per Colorado state law.

Asbestos Test Trigger Levels

For Residential Areas

• Surfacing materials (sq. ft.) - 32
• Thermal system insulation (lineal feet) - 50
• Miscellaneous materials (gallon drum) - 55

For Commercial Areas

• Surfacing materials (sq. ft.) - 160
• Thermal system insulation (lineal feet) - 260
• Miscellaneous materials (gallon drum) - 55

When We Test at SERVPRO

As a water restoration business with a team of employees, SERVPRO of Summit, Lake, Park & Eagle Counties is required to test for asbestos even when the material thresholds listed above may not have been reached.

Any time one of our employees needs to cut any amount of drywall during the demolition process, we are required by law to test for asbestos. 

Do you have questions about a water restoration project in Summit County Colorado? Give us a call at 970-949-3235.

SERVPRO is here to help!