So You Have Asbestos—Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide from Testing to Final Clearance

When I call someone with their asbestos test results, I can usually feel the tension before I even say the word. Finding out you have asbestos is never fun. I get it—no one wants to hear that something harmful is hiding in their walls or floors.

As one of the owners here at Elevation Environmental Services, I make these calls every day. It’s part of our job, but we never treat it like “just another call.” Everyone on our team genuinely cares about what you’re going through, no matter who delivers the news.

When we pick up the phone, our goal isn’t to scare you—it’s to take the mystery out of what happens next. Because usually, the hardest part for homeowners (and business owners too) isn’t the asbestos itself—it’s the not knowing. It's even worse if you go down the rabbit hole of the internet where everyone is saying you're going to die. Those articles make even me cringe.

So, if you’ve just learned you have asbestos in your home or property, take a deep breath. Here’s exactly what happens next, step-by-step. And don’t worry—I won’t give you a pop quiz at the end.

Step 1: To Abate or Not to Abate Asbestos Material

First things first: not all asbestos is treated the same. And not all asbestos material needs to be abated out by a General Abatement Contractor (GAC).

In Colorado (and most other states), we look at two key factors: how much asbestos content is present and how much material is affected/needs removal.

Let's breakdown the asbestos content part first:

• Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM): This is anything with greater than 1% asbestos content.

• Non-ACM or OSHA Regulated Material: Anything less than 1% asbestos. This still need to be handled carefully, but it falls under worker-safety rules instead of full abatement regulations. Aka...the CDPHE doesn't monitor how this material is handled, but Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does.

Now, how much material is being taken out:

The magic number here? 32 square feet.

If the impacted area of ACM is larger than 32 square feet, it triggers a regulated abatement project under Colorado’s Regulation 8, Part B.

Anything smaller may qualify as OSHA removal—which still requires safety precautions but doesn’t involve state permitting.

Here is the catch: only a Certified Building Inspector (CABI) can determine what route you are supposed to go.

Interesting fact: Colorado’s 32 sq. ft. rule is actually stricter than many other states. It’s one reason asbestos work here is so well-controlled—and why it’s important to use licensed professionals.

Step 2: Getting Quotes from Abatement Contractors

Once you know if you need abatement or not, your next step is to contact licensed asbestos abatement contractors, otherwise know as a General Abatement Contractor (GAC), for quotes.

Most clients get two to three bids. The prices can vary, but what’s most important is to compare scope—not just numbers.

Each quote should outline:

• The type of containment that will be built.

• The method of removal and waste disposal.

• Timeline and permit handling.

In the State of Colorado, the testing company and the removal company are required to be separate companies. Otherwise, everything would have asbestos! It keeps the integrity in check.

At Elevation Environmental, we’re not the abatement company—we’re your testing and clearance team. That means we don’t profit from the removal itself, so we can help you understand each quote objectively. And on top of that, we can provide some awesome abatement companies to reach out to if you need some referrals.

Keep this in mind...you get what you pay for! So if you have a company that is unnaturally low pricewise, there's a reason...and probably not a good one.

(Related reading: How to Survive the Insurance Claim Circus (Step by Step Guide to Dealing with Asbestos, Mold and Insurance) — These quotes can also impact insurance companies, learn more on how that all works.)

Step 3: The Permit Process

Before any removal begins, your GAC must submit a notification (permit) to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Here’s the difference between permit types:

• Non-Emergency Permit: Requires a 10 working day notice before work begins. This is for planned or routine projects.

• Emergency Permit: Can be expedited if there’s an immediate hazard—like water damage, fire, or active structural collapse.

The GAC team handles this paperwork, but it’s good to know what’s happening behind the scenes. These permits protect both you and the GAC. They ensure that work is documented, waste is tracked, and the project follows state health standards.

Interesting fact: The air inside containment is continuously filtered through HEPA units capable of trapping particles down to 0.3 microns—about 250 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

Step 4: Building the Containment—Your Personal “Bubble”

Once the permit is approved, it’s time to build containment. This is where things start to look a little like the TV show Dexter—but it’s actually where the magic (and safety) happens.

A proper containment includes:

• Plastic sheeting sealed floor to ceiling with strong tape and framing.

• Coverage of all "Critical Areas" like vents, windows and doors

• Negative air machines with HEPA filters that pull air into the containment (so nothing escapes).

• Zippered or double-flap doorways for workers to enter and exit.

• Decontamination chambers for showering, removing disposable suits and equipment.

  
  

The goal is to keep asbestos fibers from traveling anywhere else in the building.

Containment can be built in a basement, bathroom, or entire floor—whatever it takes to isolate the work area.

(Related reading: Minor vs. Major Asbestos Spills in Colorado — what happens if ACM is removed outside of containment.)

Step 5: The Abatement Work Itself

Building containment is the longest part of the process, but once the removal process starts, time starts flying by. The crew gets to work:

• Wetten materials to keep fibers from becoming airborne.

• Carefully scrape or cut the asbestos materials.

• Double-bag, seal and label waste for disposal.

• Clean surfaces and vacuum with HEPA vacuums multiple times.

IMPORTANT: You should never enter containment during this stage. Even peeking inside can break negative pressure and compromise safety.

When the material is gone, the GAC performs a visual inspection and pre-clean to prepare for clearance testing.

Interesting fact: Even after all visible debris is removed, asbestos fibers can still be floating in the air. That’s why visual inspections alone aren’t enough—the next step is where EES comes in.

Step 6: The Final Air Clearance Test

Once abatement is complete, a third-party testing company (like Elevation Environmental) performs the final air clearance test. This step has to be done by a Certified Air Monitoring Specialist (AMS).

This step is critical—and by law, it must be done by an independent company that wasn’t involved in the actually removal process. Again, integrity check.

Here’s what we do:

1. Visual inspection: We look for dust, debris, or residue—nothing should remain.

2. Air sampling: Pumps draw a controlled volume of air through special cassettes that capture fibers.

3. Lab analysis: Samples are analyzed using Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) depending on project type.

4. Results: To pass clearance, the air must contain less than or equal to 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter—a microscopic level that indicates the area is safe for re-entry.

If the air test passes, the containment can be removed. If not, additional cleaning and retesting occur until it does.

(Related reading: Are Do-It-Yourself Asbestos Test Kits Accurate? — can you do the above steps with a DIY asbestos test kit? Short answer no. But here is why.)

Step 7: Tear Down and Rebuild

Now the best news ever! After clearance passes, the containment comes down and the space is officially safe.

Homeowners and business owners often bring in general contractors at this point to handle repairs or what we call "Build Backs"—new drywall, flooring, paint, or whatever materials were removed.

A good tip: always wait for your final clearance report before starting rebuild. Verbal confirmation is great, but the report is what protects you (and your insurance) if questions ever arise later.

Step 8: Why Doing It Right Matters

Asbestos abatement done properly isn’t just about following rules—it’s about protecting people and property.

When you use licensed contractors, file proper permits, and get independent clearance testing, you’re:

• Protecting your family or employees from exposure.

• Ensuring insurance coverage holds up if there’s ever a claim.

• Avoiding costly delays or fines from regulatory agencies.

• Protecting yourself if you ever sell you home later.

And most importantly, you’re giving yourself peace of mind.

What I Tell Every Client

Here is the truth, finding out your have asbestos sucks! Trust us, we know. When I have to make that “you have asbestos” call, I always remind clients: You didn’t do anything wrong. Asbestos was used in thousands of common building materials for decades—it’s still in millions of homes and commercial buildings across the Nation. And there is light at the end of the tunnel.

But the good news? You're not alone in this. We got your back.

At Elevation Environmental Services, we work side-by-side with homeowners, general abatement companies, and insurance companies to make sure the process is smooth, transparent, and compliant from start to finish.

No scare tactics. Just information, empathy, and a plan.

Because at the end of the day, asbestos doesn’t have to be scary—it just needs to be handled right. And now, you know exactly how that happens.

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