- How to take a sample for asbestos testing?
- What tools will I need to collect samples for asbestos testing?
- Directions to get samples
- Where can I send a sample for asbestos testing?
- Asbestos Testing Lab
- How long will it take to get the results?
- Asbestos testing cost
- Asbestos testing near me
- Asbestos testing lab near me
You just bought a house built within the last three decades with a popcorn ceiling and that old-looking vinyl flooring. That popcorn ceiling and flooring is not your style, and you want to remove the popcorn ceiling and replace the vinyl flooring with something more modern. Still, when you go to your local contractor, he will not touch them until you have these building materials tested for asbestos. So what should you do? You can hire an AHERA consultant who will come to your home to take the samples for you, or you can get the pieces yourself and save some cash. After all, you just bought a house and need the extra funds to make some much-needed improvements. After some thought, you decide to take the samples yourself and send them to an asbestos testing lab for analysis. But there’s only one problem: you don’t know how to handle these samples and where to send them. Fortunately, I will tell you how to take samples for asbestos testing to get the results you need to move your project to the finish line.
How to take a sample for asbestos testing?
Using the scenario above, where you have popcorn ceiling texture and vinyl flooring, you will need to collect a certain number of samples. You will need two pieces for the vinyl sheeting and three samples for the popcorn texture from different corners of the room for both. Why so many parts, you may ask? Because one area may not have asbestos and another section will, the asbestos fibers may not be evenly distributed in the building material.
What tools will I need to collect samples for asbestos testing?
- A sharp knife
- Spray bottle filled with water and two drops of detergent
- Latex gloves
- Spackle or silicone (to seal exposed area)
- 80-ounce jar or high-quality Ziplock® type bag
- Label and marker
- A Sharpie®
Once you’ve gathered all your tools, now it’s time to do the dirty work. Follow these directions to get your samples for asbestos testing:
- Clear the area and make sure nobody else is around
- Turn off any ventilation system to prevent the spread of fibers
- Wear disposable latex gloves
- Spray the sample section with the soapy water to stop the threads from becoming airborne
- Carefully cut about 3 square inches of the suspected material
- Place in a container or clear plastic bag and then tightly close
- Label the bag or box with the date, time, and name of the material
- Seal or patch the sampled area with spackle or another type of sealant
- Download the chain of custody form and complete all the sections with an asterisk
- Place the chain of custody form with the package
- Mail us the package but DO NOT USE FIRST CLASS MAIL (see below)
- Wipe all tools used to collect samples
Where can I send a sample for asbestos testing?
Mail-in your samples to the following address:
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
Asbestos testing lab
*PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL DROP-OFFS: All samples must be dropped off at the back of the office building located at 7100 Fort Dent Way Tukwila WA outside the Tabor 100 Office and placed inside the black drop-box pictured below. Do not take your samples to the front desk. The front desk will not accept drop-offs over the counter, NO EXCEPTIONS
IMPORTANT-MUST READ FIRST: All mail-in samples must have a tracking number and include our asbestos chain of custody form to be processed. If the chain of custody form is missing, your sample(s) will not be accepted and processed. Drop-offs MUST have the COC form inside your package but not in the sample bag. DO NOT MAIL YOUR SAMPLES BY FIRST CLASS MAIL. Send your sample(s) via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, and FedEx. It is essential to closely follow these directions so our asbestos testing lab can promptly process your sample(s).
5 Microns Inc. Sample Drop Box
How long will it take to get the results?
Your results will take 2-3 business days from receipt to arrive.
Asbestos testing cost
We offer the following sample testing cost—only $26 per sample layer for up to 3 days TAT (turn-around time) from receipt. Do not include a personal check with your sample(s). We accept all major credit cards and debit cards. You will receive an email with a payment link when your report is ready. We will email your report after receiving payment.
Asbestos testing near me
Most large cities have asbestos testing consultants. Your building permitting department keeps a list of accredited consultants in your area. This individual should hold an AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) certification. The consultant will follow all the federal guidelines to safely and adequately handle the collection of asbestos-containing material for testing. Hiring an expert is highly recommended when the task involves significant renovation or demolition work. Things can get quite complicated for the layperson to perform an AHERA asbestos survey.
Asbestos testing lab near me
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
