Asbestos is a mineral fiber that is naturally found in soil and rock. Due to its fire-resistant, strong, and long lasting properties, asbestos became a very popular building material. It was widely used in many different areas of construction when building homes and other structures. Unfortunately, it was later found that asbestos can be dangerous to humans and animals, and was discontinued in many of its uses in 1985.
Because it was so widely used, asbestos testing is generally recommended for every type of building. If you have a house that was built in or before 1985, testing for asbestos becomes critical.
The dangers of asbestos and the health complications are widely known today. In Canada, manufacturing, importing, selling, and using asbestos products in any manner is prohibited.
Where is Asbestos Usually Found?
The use of asbestos extends into almost every area of your home. Many people are familiar with asbestos insulation found in walls, attics, ceilings, and basements, but if you have an older home, you may find that is used in various places, such as:
In pipes, furnaces, electrical boxes, boilers, and similar heating systems
Around wood-burning stoves to protect walls and floors
Cement and plaster
Floors and ceiling tiles
House siding
Roofing products like tar paper, shingles, and felt
Paint, drywall, caulking, sealants, putty, and similar surface treatments
Older automotive parts, such as brake pads, clutches, and transmission components
Asbestos inspection in Ottawa will focus on areas where asbestos may be found in your home. If found, asbestos abatement and removal services may be required.
What to Do If Your Canada Home Has Asbestos
If there is no exposed asbestos, there are no immediate health risks. You can leave it undisturbed when it is safely sealed behind walls, bound in products, or otherwise unexposed. However, if you are ever planning renovations, or you encounter exposed asbestos, it may be time to call in the experts. With weather damage, regular wear, and exposure to elements, some products materials, such as siding, flooring, roofing, and walls can begin to deteriorate, causing asbestos to become exposed or find its way into the air within your home.
Asbestos is dangerous, and inhaling the dust can cause lung cancer and disease. Areas that are suspected or known to have high traces of asbestos include such as the wall and floor tiling, and roofing material like shingles and siding. However, these surfaces generally don’t release asbestos dust unless they are moved or harmed. Therefore, you shouldn’t disturb such surfaces until you receive the test results.
However, if you ever encounter asbestos, or suspect it may be present in your home, in addition to asbestos testing, here are some other tips you should follow:
Keep children, pets, and out of areas that may contain asbestos
If you can, seal any openings in walls, windows, door frames, electrical outlets, or near the attic or basements
Don’t disturb the area, especially with sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, or other activities that can send asbestos into the air
Look into professional asbestos testing in your area
A common practice among home-owners is to remove vermiculite (insulation containing asbestos) from the attic or walls as well as asbestos tape from furnaces, air ducts, heat registers, etc. The experts at Simon Air Quality are available to take asbestos material samples and provide remediation services.
Why is Asbestos Exposure Dangerous?
Asbestos is made of small fibers that can break down and find their way into the air around you. When inhaled, these tiny fibers can enter the lungs, where they can impact serious harm. They can irritate the tissue, causing inflammation, scarring, as well as breathing issues and even lead to serious diseases, such as:
Lung cancer
Mesothelioma
Ovarian cancer
With mesothelioma cases having increased in Canada over the years, asbestos exposure can be a major concern for some homeowners. Testing is highly recommended to anyone who is looking into buying a new home or doing renovations within their current space. Looking into asbestos services to help inspect for asbestos, test the area, and perform any removal or abatement can help to mitigate any problems.
Asbestos Abatement and Removal in Ontario
If you suspect vermiculite or asbestos in your home and want to make sure the air you are breathing is free from these harmful fibers, give us a call. We offer a variety of asbestos services and will test for asbestos right away. Our licensed technicians will take a sample and send it to our lab for analysis. Results will be provided 4 to 5 days afterwards. A rush can be placed on the test in order to receive the results 2 to 3 days after submission.
If results determine dangerous levels of asbestos are found in your home, remediation options can include asbestos removal or abatement services, which can depend on your needs and the type of exposure found.
Asbestos removal in Ottawa often includes closing off the contaminated area of your home to minimize the risk of it getting into other spaces. From there, a variety of methods can be used to remove the asbestos as best as possible. Once it is safely removed from the home, the air will be cleared to eliminate any particles that may be inhaled.
In some cases, removal is not entirely possible so asbestos abatement is another option that includes encapsulating any exposed asbestos. Our professionals will fix the exposure by resealing the asbestos safely, clearing the air from any harmful particles.
Asbestos in Ottawa offers asbestos remediation services in Ottawa, Kemptville, Carleton Place, Orleans, Kanata, Cornwall, Cumberland, Casselman, Brockville, Rockland, Dunrobin, Morrisburg, Alfred, Sharbot Lake, Barrhaven and the surrounding areas.
Call us today to schedule an in-depth asbestos testing in Ontario. If you’d like to get a professional opinion on the quality of air in your home, take our indoor air quality assessment!
