How Do I Know If My Ceiling Tiles Contain Asbestos?
Posted in Asbestos Removal, on February 13, 2020
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material usually found in green, brown, white, blue, and more colours. It is present in the form of fibrous silicate minerals. Also, each fibre contains a million microscopic fibrils. These fibrils, when disturbed or removed, can escape in the air.
One of the most important features of asbestos that has led to its existence for long is its fire-resistant capacity. However, the other fact also remains unchanged that asbestos has the capacity to cause serious health hazards if disturbed.
When we talk about ceiling tiles, the asbestos fibres get released into the air only when the tiles are broken, disturbed, or moved. Moreover, these fibres cannot evaporate or dissolve into the air. And, it is impossible to destroy these microscopic asbestos fibres without professional asbestos abatement.
How Common is It to Find Asbestos in Ceiling Tiles?
During the mid 20th century, one of the most common materials utilized for preparing ceiling tiles was asbestos. Along with building materials, it has also been used in pipes, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and for insulating wires. Ceiling tiles of old buildings, especially the ones that were constructed on or before 1980, are sure to find the presence of asbestos. It was mainly because this material is the most inexpensive fire-resistant material.
How to Identify Asbestos in Ceiling Tiles?
It can be difficult for a non-certified restoration contractor to identify asbestos in ceiling tiles because the ones that do not use the material also look alike. Asbestos fibres in the ceiling tiles can look very similar to the other materials used in the production of tiles. And, various types of ceiling tiles are produced, therefore, it cannot be easy to provide a complete database of materials that contain asbestos.
Moreover, it is not advisable to handle materials that may contain asbestos. The best way to find out the presence of this material in ceiling tiles is through professional laboratory tests. Under some circumstances, a licensed professional may be able to detect asbestos in ceiling tiles based on its attributes and features. If you doubt the ceiling tiles installed in an old building regarding the asbestos presence, call a professional restoration company immediately. Do not try to disturb or remove them all by yourself.
Consider a few points to determine the presence of asbestos in your ceiling tiles.
- Check the ceiling tile production date – Mostly, the ceiling tiles that were installed before 1986 contain asbestos. Therefore, get answers to questions like – when was the building constructed or renovated; when was the ceiling tile installed; etc.
- Free inspection – Get a free inspection done by a professional asbestos company if you have any doubts. They can guide you regarding further courses of action.
- Laboratory test – This is the final and most important method to check for asbestos in ceiling tiles. A laboratory test is required to identify the presence and type of asbestos, if necessary.
Professional Asbestos Removal Services
Just like when you find mold in your home, it is best to call for professional mold removal in Toronto. When you suspect asbestos in your ceiling tiles, it is best to leave it alone and contact a professional asbestos removal company
Today, due to the health hazards associated with asbestos, it is not recommended that you remove asbestos yourself.
The main issue with asbestos is that it is known to cause different types of cancers and breathing issues like mesothelioma. The best course of action is to contact Canada’s Restoration Services to come and remove the asbestos in your ceiling tiles. When calling for professional asbestos removal services, we will use specialized equipment and have advanced knowledge on best practices with regards to removing the asbestos without exposing yourself or your family to the dangerous fibers and dust.
Canada’s Restoration Services is a certified and insured professional asbestos abatement company in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Ottawa. Our experts have years of experience and have completed thousands of asbestos removal and testing jobs nationwide. We work with homeowners and business owners to provide safe and effective asbestos abatement in your property.
