Do you have Asbestos in your Home or Business?
If your house or business was built before 1990, asbestos could be present. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials for much of the 20th century because of its heat-resistant and insulating properties.
The mere presence of asbestos in your home is not hazardous. Generally, a material in good condition will not release asbestos fibers, but it may introduce a health hazard if disturbed in an uncontrolled way (without the expertise of asbestos professionals). When asbestos material has been damaged over time or is disturbed by renovations or repairs, it becomes a danger.
It's Best to Test!
Asbestos is classified as a human carcinogen. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to chronic, irreversible and life-threatening lung diseases. These diseases, including asbestosis (a lung scarring disease), lung cancer and mesothelioma, can appear several decades after exposure. Asbestos exposure is the No. 1 cause of occupational death in Canada.
The only way to determine whether building materials contain asbestos is to have them tested.
Prior to the start of a demolition or renovation project, speak to one of our asbestos experts about your renovation plans or home repairs. Based on the scope of the work, we can advise you as to what materials could contain asbestos and can collect samples for a third-party laboratory to analyze. If any of the samples come back as containing asbestos, Prairie Asbestos can provide you with a quote and removal plan, as well as coordinate with your contractor.
Common Asbestos Containing Building Materials
*Note: This is not a complete list of asbestos containing building materials. Please speak to one of our Asbestos Experts to discuss the specifics of your home or business.
Vermiculite is an insulation that was used in attics. The removal of asbestos containing vermiculite is a high risk procedure only to be completed by trained professionals.
VCT can contain asbestos; they can be found in a variety of color and sizes. A common misconception is that only 9"x9" tiles contain asbestos. Your Vinyl Composite Tiles should be tested before removal.
Asbestos was mixed into the plaster that was used in walls and ceilings. It is best to test before disturbing or removing.
Any textured ceilings or walls (in buildings before 1990) may be asbestos containing and should be tested.
Asbestos was added to drywall joint mudding compound. Testing should be done to your drywall before renovations.
You may find a thin layer of insulation wrapped around your register where it comes through the floor or wall. This insulation may contain asbestos. This is a particularly dangerous place to have asbestos, the insulation often becomes dry and brittle from the heat and can become airborne and easily circulate within your home.
If you see insulation wrapped around any piping or duct work and your house was built before 1990, you should have it tested before doing any plumbing or hvac work.
The paper backing of vinyl sheet flooring can contain asbestos. If your building was built before 1990 it should be tested before removal.
Stucco siding can contain asbestos. You should test your stucco siding before replacing or repairing it if your house was built before 1990.
SASKATCHEWAN ASBESTOS REMOVAL EXPERTS
We are proud to call Saskatchewan home, and happily provide the best customer services and quality of work that Saskatchean has to offer in the world of Asbestos Removal. Call us, we can help with any Asbestos Removal project you have in Southern & Central Saskatchewan.
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