Walls and Ceilings - Removing asbestos acoustic insulation

How can I safely remove the acoustic material from my ceiling. I have a lab report that states that the material has a 10% content of Chrysotile asbestos. Please help!!!!! Can I do this without hiring a professional?

I would hire a professional. You could do it yourself, but the cost of the tools, and
getting rid of the material at a hazardous site, would cost more then hiring a pro.
Good Luck

Thank you. I called and got an estimate of $6000 for a 1500 square foot area of ceiling. Does that number sound correct to you?

Depends on where you are at and how much the charges will be at the Haz Mat disposal site. Those charges will be the bulk of the bid. If you decide to go with it, get it included in the contract (BEFORE you sign it)that you WILL recieve a copy of the receipt from the disposal site. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by skremodel:
Thank you. I called and got an estimate of $6000 for a 1500 square foot area of ceiling. Does that number sound correct to you? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It sounds like the majority of the cost is from the disposal of the material. So, is it safe to remove it yourself if I use the right precautions? I know that you must wet the material before scraping, and then dispose of it in hazardous waste containers. Afterwards, we are planning on cleaning all of the walls and floors with sponges and mops, and then disposing of all of the items. Do you think that this is okay?

Let the contractor remove it and dispose of it properly, or live with it. Trying to cut a corner by disposing of it improperly is not something you want to get caught doing, and the Haz Mat disposal site will charge you the same amount they will charge the contractor. My only concern would be that the contractor MIGHT try to cut a corner himself -- that's why I suggested having it put into the contract, before you sign it, that you will get a copy of the receipr from the disposal center. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by skremodel:
It sounds like the majority of the cost is from the disposal of the material. So, is it safe to remove it yourself if I use the right precautions? I know that you must wet the material before scraping, and then dispose of it in hazardous waste containers. Afterwards, we are planning on cleaning all of the walls and floors with sponges and mops, and then disposing of all of the items. Do you think that this is okay?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Lefty is right. Let the contractor remove it.
I am sure you do nat have a hazardous removal license. The HAz Mat people are nothing to fool with. Worse then the IRS.
There is also alot of paper work going along with disposing it. Believe us, we would not steer you wrong. This is not where you want to cut corners.

Thank you. I found someone on Monday afternoon who can do it for around $2000. Our neighbors used him last year, and said that he was very professional and had the disposal site in the contract. Thank you for all of your responses, you were both a great help. Have a great week.

Good job Lefty.

Thanks Jack, but as long as 'skremodel' gets the job done, and done right, and done at a fair price -- THAT'S the important thing! The difference between a $6,000 bid and a $2,000 bid for the same job is huge. 'Sk' is right -- the disposal cost will be the bulk of the cost. I have to wonder though, is somebody overvaluing their disposal license, or is somebody lowballing the job? Not knowing what disposal costs are in the area in question, I guess we will never know. 'skremodel', if your neighbors used this guy last year and he did a good job, and he's still around to do it for you this year, then I would guess you found the right person.