When Hidden Dangers Surface: A Florissant Family's Asbestos Discovery Story

The Call That Changes Everything

Sometimes the most serious problems hide in plain sight. That's exactly what happened to a family in Florissant, MO, when what started as a simple basement renovation project quickly turned into something much more serious. During their prep work, they discovered what they suspected might be asbestos-containing materials in their basement area.

Like most homeowners, they knew enough about asbestos to be concerned but not enough to know exactly what to do next. That's when they reached out to our team at ABC Environmental Contracting Services for professional asbestos testing and removal.

The Reality of Older Homes

Here's what many people don't realize: if your home was built before 1980, there's a decent chance it contains asbestos somewhere. This Florissant home was no exception. The family had been living there for years without knowing they had asbestos-containing materials (ACM) tucked away in their basement.

Why Asbestos Was So Common

• Excellent insulation properties
• Fire resistance
• Durability and strength
• Low cost for builders

The problem? We now know that asbestos exposure can cause serious health issues, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. But back when this house was built, asbestos was considered a wonder material.

Our Assessment: Safety First, Always

When we arrived at the Florissant property, our first priority was conducting a thorough evaluation. We don't mess around when it comes to asbestos. The suspect materials needed professional testing to confirm what we were dealing with.

Once we confirmed the presence of asbestos, we developed a comprehensive removal plan that would keep the family safe while completely eliminating the hazard from their home.

The Containment Challenge

What you see in these photos is what proper asbestos abatement looks like. This isn't a DIY weekend project, and there's a good reason for that. Professional asbestos removal requires:

• Complete containment barriers to prevent fiber release
• Negative air pressure systems to control airflow
• Full protective equipment for all workers
• Specialized disposal procedures for contaminated materials

Professional Containment Setup
Professional containment barriers create a sealed environment to prevent asbestos fibers from contaminating the rest of the home. Note the sophisticated negative air pressure systems and HEPA filtration equipment.

The Process: Methodical and Thorough

Professional Asbestos Removal: Step-by-Step Process

Setting Up the Work Zone

Our team started by creating a completely sealed work environment. Those plastic barriers you see aren't just for show. They're part of a sophisticated containment system that prevents even microscopic asbestos fibers from escaping into other parts of the home.

We established:

• Primary containment area
• Decontamination chamber
• Negative air pressure throughout the work zone
• HEPA filtration systems

The Removal Work

Inside the containment area, our certified technicians carefully removed all asbestos-containing materials. Every piece had to be wetted down to prevent fiber release, then double-bagged in specially marked disposal bags.

Key safety measures during removal:

• Constant air monitoring
• Full-body protective suits
• Respirators with HEPA filters
• Methodical decontamination procedures

Safe Asbestos Removal in Action
Our certified technicians use full protective equipment and specialized techniques to safely remove asbestos-containing materials while maintaining continuous air monitoring throughout the process.

Air Quality Monitoring

Throughout the entire process, we continuously monitored air quality both inside and outside the containment area. This isn't just good practice; it's required by law and essential for everyone's safety.

Why Professional Removal Matters

Some homeowners think they can tackle asbestos removal themselves to save money. We understand the temptation, but here's the truth: improper asbestos removal can make the problem much worse. Disturbing asbestos materials without proper containment can release millions of microscopic fibers throughout your home.

Consider this: asbestos fibers are so small that 400 billion of them would fit on the head of a pin. Once they're airborne, they can stay suspended for hours and settle into every corner of your house.

The Results: Peace of Mind Restored

After completing the removal work, we conducted final air clearance testing to ensure the area was completely safe. Only when we received confirmation that air quality met all safety standards did we remove the containment barriers.

The family could finally move forward with their basement renovation, knowing their home was free from this hidden danger. They went from worrying about their family's health to having complete confidence in their home's safety.

What This Family Gained:

• Complete elimination of asbestos hazard
• Professional certification of safety
• Ability to proceed with renovations
• Long-term peace of mind
• Increased home value

Complete and Safe: Final Results
The final result: a completely safe, asbestos-free basement ready for the family's renovation project. Air clearance testing confirmed the space meets all safety standards.

Does Your Home Have Hidden Asbestos? Take This Quick Assessment

Check all that apply to your home:

If you checked ANY box: Professional testing is strongly recommended before any renovation work.

Like the Florissant family discovered: What looks like a simple renovation can quickly become a serious health hazard without proper assessment.

Remember: Never disturb suspected asbestos materials. Even small amounts can be dangerous when fibers become airborne. For detailed guidance on safety tips for removing asbestos , check out our comprehensive safety guide.

Moving Forward Safely

This Florissant family's story has a happy ending because they made the right choice when they discovered a potential problem. Instead of ignoring it or trying to handle it themselves, they called professionals who could safely eliminate the hazard.

If you suspect asbestos in your home, don't take chances with your family's health. Our experienced team has helped dozens of families throughout the St. Louis metro area safely resolve asbestos issues.

The Bottom Line

Asbestos removal isn't something you want to cut corners on. It requires specialized training, equipment, and procedures that only certified professionals should handle. This Florissant project shows what proper abatement looks like: thorough containment, careful removal, and rigorous testing to ensure complete safety.

Whether you're planning renovations or have discovered suspected asbestos materials, the smart move is getting professional help right away. Your family's health is worth the investment in doing it right the first time.

Protect Your Family from Asbestos Hazards

Don't risk your family's health with DIY asbestos removal. Our certified professionals provide safe, thorough abatement that protects your loved ones and complies with all safety regulations.

Ready to protect your family?

Get Professional Assessment | Call (314) 668-1509

Available 24/7 for emergency asbestos situations throughout the St. Louis Metro East area