If you own and live in the single-family residence (a duplex or other multiple unit structure does not qualify), you are allowed under the Clean Air Agency regulations to remove asbestos yourself, subject to the same regulatory requirements and liability as asbestos professional.

Material that is not friable. This may include asbestos asphaltic roofing, vinyl asbestos tile, mastic, and caulking, depending upon their condition.

Material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure or by the forces expected to act upon the material in the course of the demolition or disposal. Such material includes, but is not limited to, thermal system insulation, surfacing material, sheet-vinyl flooring with paper-like backing, and cement asbestos products

OSHA has no control over what you do in your own house. However, you need to be licensed to remove asbestos and the material has to be disposed of properly and manifested at an approved landfill. There are also health concerns if you do try and remove / disturb the asbestos product from your own house. Advanced Environmental can remove the asbestos the right way to alleviate any health concerns.

If the pipe insulation is in good condition, and there is little or no chance of it being disturbed, it is probably best to leave it in place. If the pipe insulation is slightly damaged, it can usually be repaired or encapsulated using various methods. Often, there is less risk repairing the material than removing it. EPA does not regulate the removal and disposal of asbestos containing material from privately owned single family residences.

Our agency allows non-friable asbestos-containing roofing material to be left in place if the material remains non-friable during the demolition. Other government regulatory agencies, such as the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, may have different requirements.

It must be handled and disposed of in accordance with our asbestos regulations. Depending on the quantities involved, you may need to file an asbestos notification with our Agency. You may receive a Notice of Violation for not removing the friable ACWM before conducting the demolition and potentially jeopardizing the health of others.

Complete an asbestos waste material shipment record and keep it with you when transporting ACM to a disposal site authorized to accept asbestos waste. The waste shipment record can be downloaded from http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/homeowners/form_66-145.pdf. A list of asbestos waste disposal sites can also be found at http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/disposal.aspx. Yes, on the completion date you specify on the submitted notification.

Materials that contain asbestos must be taken to a disposal facility authorized to accept asbestos waste. Our web page at http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/disposal.aspx lists these facilities within our jurisdiction.

There is no law that says asbestos has to be removed. It is only when the material can no longer be maintained in good condition and /or the airborne concentrations of asbestos are measured to be too high, or when the building is to be demolished or renovated, that removal may become the only option. In most states, asbestos may only be removed by Licensed Asbestos Abatement Contractors, utilizing Licensed Workers and Supervisors.

The Agency has prepared “how to brochures” for specific materials which can be reviewed and/or downloaded from our web site at http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/forms.aspx.

If it becomes necessary to remove the siding, it is recommended that it be removed with minimal breakage. To do this it should not be hammered, sawn, or dropped. Siding should be removed in whole pieces and then carried or lowered to the disposal area (instead of letting it drop to the ground). Siding will most likely break where it is fastened to the building, these areas should be moistened with water before attempting to remove the fasteners.

If the asbestos is in an unregulated structure, it is not subject to the regulations and therefore a specialist is not required to remove it (see the section below titled "Who must notify" if you are unsure about what types of structures are regulated).

No, asbestos is only a risk to health when in a poor condition or it is disturbed so that it releases fibres. Examples of poor condition would be where asbestos lagging is hanging off pipe work or where asbestos-insulating board is broken and debris is on the floor. Two main ways disturbance could occur is through maintenance work or workplace activities that repeatedly damage the material eg a trolley or a forklift truck that scrapes against asbestos-insulating board.

Generally, asbestos-containing waste should be taken to a landfill that accepts asbestos waste. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency maintains this list and it can be found at this link List of Landfills that Accept Asbestos. Before you take asbestos to a landfill you should call that landfill to find out if they can accept asbestos waste.