The Asbestos Removal Process in Spokane WA
From first call to final cleanup, here is what happens on a Spokane asbestos job and roughly how long each step takes.
- Eight steps
- Timelines
- What you do and what we do
✓ Licensed and insured. Many years in business serving the greater Spokane area.
From first call to sign-off
A typical job runs in eight steps. Your part is small. Ours is everything else.
- 1. Call or send the form. Tell us the address, the material and the amount.
- 2. Survey. An accredited AHERA building inspector samples the materials. SRCAA requires this before renovation or demolition (SRCAA).
- 3. Scope and quote. We write down each material, its amount and the method.
- 4. Notice and fee. We file for projects that need it. Most carry a 10-day wait.
- 5. Containment. Plastic sheeting, signs and negative air units go up.
- 6. Removal. Crews work wet and bag the material.
- 7. Cleanup and clearance. Surfaces are wet-wiped and HEPA vacuumed, and the area is checked.
- 8. Disposal and records. Waste goes to Graham Road Landfill within 10 days under a shipment record (SRCAA).
How long it takes
| Stage | Typical time | Depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Survey and lab results | A few days | Lab turnaround |
| Notice wait | None, 3 or 10 days | Amount removed (SRCAA) |
| Setup | Hours to a day | Size of the area |
| Removal | A day to several days | Material and amount |
| Cleanup and check | Half a day | Number of rooms |
| Hauling | Within 10 days | Landfill schedule |
What containment means
Sealed room
Plastic over walls, floors, doors and vents.
Negative air
A HEPA-filtered machine keeps air flowing into the work area, not out.
Decon area
A small entry zone where crews suit up and wash down.
Warning signs
Posted so no one walks in by mistake.
Wet methods
Misting keeps fibers from becoming airborne.
Sealed bags
Labeled bags stay closed until they reach the landfill.
What you do during the job
- Keep kids and pets out of the work area.
- Do not open the plastic or the decon area.
- Move valuables out of the rooms ahead of time.
- Ask your contractor which rooms are safe to use.
- Keep your copy of the survey, the notice and the waste record.
Questions about cost? See the cost guide. Ready for a quote? Use the contact form.
Back to the Asbestos Removal Spokane home page.
Asbestos Removal Process: questions and answers
How long does asbestos removal take?
Small rooms take a day or two once set up. The notice wait, if one applies, comes first.
Do I need to leave my home?
For a contained single-room job, many families stay in other rooms. For larger jobs we advise leaving.
Who checks that the area is clean?
Crews do a visual check after cleaning. Larger projects may call for air tests by an independent inspector.
When can I start rebuilding?
After the area is cleared and the plastic is down.
Where does the waste go?
Graham Road Landfill in Medical Lake (Waste Management).
Who holds the paperwork?
You do. We give you the notice, the shipment record and the clearance results.