Example Asbestos Removal Projects in Bloomington

Scope of work

An hour on site with an MDH-certified inspector, four samples along the path the gas line will take, a result for each from an accredited lab and a short report with the sample spots marked. Lifting the vinyl where the line comes up is priced on its own.

Project overview

In this example, a Bloomington couple wants to cook on gas, so the electric range in their 1970s rambler is going. The plumber will run a new line across the basement ceiling, past a heating duct and a water pipe, and drill up through the kitchen floor behind the range.

Four samples cover everything on that route. Only the kitchen sheet vinyl tests positive, so a licensed crew lifts the strip behind the range before the plumber drills, and the report shows which materials were sampled and where.

The goal

The goal is a gas line that goes in without drilling through positive flooring.

Process

1. First visit The plumber shows the gas line path from basement to range, and an MDH-certified inspector samples four spots along it.
2. A few days later Results come back with one positive, the kitchen sheet vinyl.
3. Next The vinyl strip behind the range is lifted by a licensed crew.
4. Then The plumber runs the line, drills the floor and connects the new range.

Planning right

• Ask the plumber to walk the route with the inspector.
• Plan the samples along the whole route, not only the first few feet.
• Duct tape and pipe fittings get their own samples, even when they sit side by side.
• Keep the report with the house papers.

Scope of work

Lab results for the siding and what sits behind it, notice to MDH at least five days out, plastic on the ground along both walls, the bottom rows of shingles kept damp and lifted off whole, wrapped and labeled on a pallet, and the haul with its manifest. Digging, waterproofing and new siding at the base are the foundation crew’s work.

Project overview

In this example, water seeps into the basement of a 1950s rambler in Bloomington after heavy rain. A foundation crew will dig along the back and one side, seal the outside of the block walls and flash the top of the wall, which means the lowest courses of cement siding have to come off.

The shingles test positive. Hennepin County requires asbestos to be removed before a renovation, so a licensed crew takes off only the bottom three rows on those two walls. The rest of the siding is in good shape and stays on the house.

The goal

The goal is a bare strip along the base of two walls, so the foundation crew can dig, seal and flash without breaking any shingles.

Process

1. First visit An MDH-certified inspector samples the shingles, the paper behind them and the window caulk.
2. Before work The notice goes to MDH, and the foundation crew marks the walls it will dig along.
3. Day one Plastic down, the bottom rows misted and lifted off along the back wall.
4. Day two The side wall, the ground picked clean, and the pallet hauled before the excavator arrives.

Planning right

• Ask the foundation crew exactly how high the new flashing will reach.
• Siding above that line can stay where it is.
• Keep children and pets inside while the shingles come off.
• Book the excavator for after the last pallet is gone.

Scope of work

The price starts with lab tests of the fill, the ceiling and the chimney mortar and a notice to MDH five days out. The hatch and the rooms under it are covered in plastic, the attic runs under negative air, and the vermiculite is vacuumed into sealed, labeled bags. Joists are cleaned, air samples taken and the bags hauled under a manifest. Taking out the chimney and adding insulation are priced on their own.

Project overview

In this example, a 1950s rambler in Bloomington still has its old brick chimney, though the furnace and water heater vent out the side wall now. The mason will take the chimney down from the roof into the attic, so bricks and dust would land in the loose fill around it.

The fill tests positive and the mortar is clear. A licensed crew empties the whole attic first, so the mason works over bare joists and nothing gets mixed into the brick debris.

The goal

The goal is a clean attic, so the chimney comes out and new insulation goes in over bare joists.

Process

1. First visit Fill from the attic, texture from a ceiling and mortar from the chimney go to the lab; an MDH-certified inspector also measures the attic floor.
2. Before work MDH gets the notice; the hall closet below the hatch is cleared out.
3. Days one and two Plastic over the hatch and the rooms below; the crew vacuums the fill from around the chimney and cleans each joist bay.
4. Day three Air sampling, then the sheeting comes down and the sealed bags leave for the landfill.

Planning right

• The mason takes the chimney down once the air results are in.
• Order new insulation only after the chimney hole in the roof is patched.
• Debris mixed with asbestos becomes asbestos waste, so the attic comes first.
• Keep the manifest with the house papers.

Scope of work

Two texture samples, MDH told five days before the start, the counters and floor covered and the kitchen sealed in plastic under negative air, the texture kept wet and scraped into leak-tight bags, air samples, a final clean and disposal with its manifest. Taking out the light box, new lights and the patch are extra.

Project overview

In this example, a 1970s kitchen in Mendota Heights still has its original fluorescent light box, a big framed panel in the middle of the ceiling. The owners want it gone, with small lights in its place and one smooth ceiling over the kitchen and dinette.

The textured ceiling around the box tests positive. A licensed crew scrapes the whole kitchen and dinette ceiling before the electrician pulls the box, so the opening and the patch go into bare board.

The goal

The goal is a bare kitchen ceiling, so the old box comes out and the new lights and patch go in clean.

Process

1. First visit Two texture samples go to the lab from an MDH-certified inspector, who also pencils in where the new lights will sit.
2. Before work During the five-day MDH wait, the family boxes up everything on the counters and in the cupboards.
3. Day one Kitchen sealed, the texture wetted and scraped down.
4. Day two Wipe-down of the kitchen, an air test, then the plastic folded into bags.

Planning right

• Take everything down from the counters and off the cabinet tops a day early.
• Plan meals away from the kitchen for two days.
• Have the electrician pull the light box after the air samples.
• Leave the patch and paint until the new lights are in.

Scope of work

Separate results for tile and adhesive, notice to MDH at least five days out, plastic around the work strip, the tile pulled up and the adhesive removed wet down to the subfloor, sealed and labeled bags, a HEPA clean and disposal with its manifest. Taking out the peninsula and the new floor are extra.

Project overview

In this example, the kitchen of a 1970s house in Shakopee feels tight because a peninsula juts into the walkway. The owners are taking it out and want one new floor across the room. The laminate was laid around the peninsula, and the original vinyl tile shows wherever the cabinet base comes up.

That old tile and its adhesive test positive. Where the laminate covers the tile, the tile stays put under the new floor. A licensed crew clears only the strip the peninsula leaves exposed, so the installer can level it.

The goal

The goal is a wider walkway and one level floor, with the exposed tile gone and the covered tile left in place.

Process

1. First visit Lifting one corner of the laminate, an MDH-certified inspector finds the original tile and samples it and its adhesive.
2. Before work The cabinet maker pulls the peninsula, and the notice goes to MDH.
3. Work day The exposed strip sealed off, the tile pulled up, the adhesive removed wet, the subfloor vacuumed.
4. Then The installer levels the strip and lays the new floor.

Planning right

• Ask whoever pulls the peninsula not to pry up the floor under it.
• Intact tile under the laminate can stay covered by the new floor.
• Plan simple meals for the work day.
• Keep the manifest with the job papers.

Scope of work

Removal of the three positive materials from the survey, with MDH notified five days before the start, the bar area sealed under negative air, the texture scraped wet, the tile lifted and the mastic taken up wet, leak-tight labeled bags, air samples and disposal with its manifest. The survey, the bar tear-out and the new bedroom are not included.

Project overview

In this example, a couple in Bloomington wants a guest bedroom where the old bar sits in the lower level of their 1960s split-entry. The remodeler will rip out the bar, its counter and the wall behind it, then frame a closet and lay carpet.

The 9-inch floor tile, its mastic and the ceiling texture over the bar test positive, and the paneling is clear. Hennepin County requires asbestos to be removed before a renovation, so a licensed crew clears those three materials before demo day.

The goal

The goal is a lower level with no positive tile or texture left at the bar, so the remodeler frames the guest room on schedule.

Process

1. First visit An MDH-certified inspector works around the bar: wall pieces from behind it, floor tile in front of it, texture from overhead.
2. Before work The remodeler applies for the city building permit for the interior demo, and the notice goes to MDH.
3. Day one The bar area sealed, the ceiling texture scraped wet.
4. Day two Tile lifted, mastic taken up, air samples, and the space handed to the remodeler.

Planning right

• Empty the bar shelves and cabinets before the crew arrives.
• Paneling that tested clear can come down with the bar on demo day.
• Tile left under carpet elsewhere in the lower level can stay in place.
• Your remodeler may need the lab report and the waste manifest for the permit file.

Scope of work

A work area sealed off from the parked cars and the stair doors, the MDH and MPCA notices, the coating wetted and scraped into leak-tight labeled bags, air monitoring each day and clearance samples before the aisle reopens, and the haul with its manifest. The survey and the new lights are separate.

Project overview

In this example, residents of a 1970s apartment building in Bloomington have asked for brighter lights in its underground garage. New fixtures mean drilling and anchoring into the ceiling along the whole drive aisle.

The sprayed coating on that ceiling tests positive. An apartment building is covered by the MPCA notice, so it goes in ten working days ahead with the MDH notice. A licensed crew works one section of the aisle at a time while residents park in the outdoor lot.

The goal

The goal is a bare garage ceiling along the drive aisle, so the new lights go in and residents park inside again.

Process

1. First visit Down in the parking level, an MDH-certified inspector moves along the stalls taking roughly twelve samples.
2. Before work Both notices filed; a letter tells residents which stalls close, where to park and on which days.
3. Days one to five One section sealed at a time, the coating wetted and scraped, the bags sealed and labeled.
4. Day six After clearance results come back, the crew strips its plastic and the electrician begins hanging lights.

Planning right

• Send residents the parking plan well before the first day.
• Add the survey report to the building file; it lists each material sampled and its location.
• Ask the electrician to mark every fixture spot before the survey.
• Book the lighting crew for the week after clearance.