HEPA Environmental Services, Inc. Blog
Rick Kuhlman
Rick Kuhlman is the president and owner of HEPA Environmental Services, Inc. He has a bachelor of science from Florida Tech in Biological Oceanography, 1993. He has successfully run a full service asbestos abatement company for over 11 years. Most importantly he has helped people from all walks of life deal with their environmental problems in a safe and efficient manner and had a great time doing it.
How to Pick a Good Asbestos Abatement Contractor (and Avoid the Clowns)
If you’re a homeowner dealing with asbestos, choosing the right contractor can feel overwhelming—and let’s be honest, it should be taken seriously. You’re not picking someone to mow the lawn; this is hazardous material, and the stakes are high. So how do you know if you're hiring a good asbestos abatement contractor? Let’s break it down in real-world terms, no fluff, no sales pitch. 1. Check Their Paperwork (Seriously, Ask for It) If a contractor is reluctant to share their license, insurance, or worker certifications,...
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Tank Curing, Cleaning, Sanitizing & Removal Services
From Cure to Cleanout — HEPA Delivers Full-Service Tank Support What’s the Process? Our tank curing process is designed for fiberglass or resin-lined tanks that require a heat-set cure to meet performance or manufacturing specs. Here's how it works: Setup:We connect a hydronic heater system to the tank. Cold water is pumped in and heated through a fuel-powered boiler system. Heat & Recirculate:Heated water is circulated through the tank using bottom-to-top flow. The goal is to raise the internal water temperature to 160–180°F. Hold Temperature for Cure:Once the target temperature is reached, we hold...
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The Asbestos “Ban” That Isn’t
Why You Still Need to Check It Before You Wreck It First of all, let’s get one thing straight:This is not an asbestos ban.It’s a chrysotile ban. That’s important—because chrysotile is just one form of asbestos. Other types like amosite, crocidolite, tremolite? Still out there. Still not banned. So before we start popping the champagne, let’s take a breath. Sure, the Biden-Harris Administration made headlines in March 2024 for “banning asbestos.” And to be fair, it was historic—it marked the first chemical ban finalized under the updated Toxic...
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To test or not to test?
“My house is newer so I don’t have to test for asbestos, right?” WRONG! There is no magic date in which asbestos was no longer used. In fact, asbestos is not completely banned in the United States. Only 10 asbestos containing products are currently banned; the other several thousand are legal. If you go to your local building supply store and start sampling you may find materials containing asbestos on the shelf for sale. Worst of all, many people still...
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What is asbestos?
It’s hard to watch late night TV without seeing one of those asbestos commercials from a law firm wanting to know if you are sick. This has raised some awareness and has prompted some questions from clients and friends. Awareness is a good thing, at least people are asking questions (ignorance is not bliss). Most people think that asbestos is only in old buildings and some think it has been removed. Not the case, it is still around and in...
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Do you have questions about Vermiculite?
You came to the right place! We have been removing asbestos for over 11 years and vermiculite has continued to grow as an asbestos issue. We have climbed into many attics all over Ohio and I wanted to share what we have learned and help out as much as possible. If you want to learn more general information about asbestos you can visit our FAQ page. Below are some pictures of vermiculite from the US EPA website. What is vermiculite? Vermiculite is...
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Is asbestos falling through the cracks In Ohio?
Is asbestos falling through the cracks In Ohio? A Crack in the Asbestos Detection Process A subtle change in asbestos sampling and reporting has happened in Ohio and it’s allowing asbestos to “fall through the cracks.” It once was that during a typical survey, the licensed Evaluation Specialist (ES) would inspect areas such as finished drywall walls. This type of wall has mudded and taped joints and is made up of a mixture of layered materials that could include asbestos....
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Home inspector just found asbestos in the house I want to buy.
At least once a week we get a call from a home buyer who has just been informed that the home inspector just found asbestos in the house they want to buy. I would assume since you are in the inspection phase of the process that you did want to buy this house and now you just need to get some perspective on asbestos. It is not the end of the world and not the end of the deal. The...
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