Do you Need Asbestos Removal in Montreal for Your Roof?
Posted in Asbestos Removal, on November 24, 2021
Asbestos has an extensive and complicated history in Canada, especially Quebec, where the mineral was first mined. Unsurprisingly, asbestos removal in Montreal is needed for many building materials such as stucco ceilings, vinyl floor tiles, insulation, and pipe wrap these days. When asbestos use was widespread, before its adverse health implications were understood, the use of the mineral was rampant in commercial and residential construction. One area where asbestos may be uncovered today is the roof.
If you’re going to repair or do maintenance on the roof of an older building, call Canada’s Restoration for asbestos testing in Montreal first.
What Roofing Parts Was Asbestos Used In?
Asbestos was used in asphalt and concrete products. The most common place you might encounter asbestos on the roof is shingles. Still, virtually every building material on the roof could have been mixed with asbestos, including tar, asphalt liquids, underlay, felt, vents, flashings, caulking, sealant, cement, flat sheets, and corrugated roofing.
Why Was Asbestos Used In Roofing?
Builders and designers used asbestos in roofing because of a few incredibly advantageous properties. One of the main reasons was that asbestos is exceptionally lightweight and durable. Today, we understand that this quality is one of the reasons that asbestos is so easily airborne and damaging to the lungs. But at the time, it made it an excellent choice for the top of the building because it wouldn’t overwhelm the structure with unnecessary weight while boasting durability and resilience when exposed to external elements like windows and ice.
Since asbestos removal in Montreal occurs on an ongoing basis, mostly asbestos is encountered, older properties with their original roofing materials are likely contaminated with the hazardous mineral. Since roofing needs attention every 12-25 years, it’s vital to arrange asbestos testing in Montreal before getting to work. At Canada’s Restoration Services, we carefully collect samples of asbestos roofing materials and send them to third-party laboratories for fast and accurate results.
What Does Asbestos Testing Tell Us?
Generally, asbestos testing in Montreal will give asbestos abatement contractors three essential pieces of information: whether there is asbestos, how much asbestos, and what type of asbestos. This information is used to determine whether asbestos removal is necessary and the risk level. There are three main types of asbestos, white, blue, and brown, all of which present a significant risk to those in its path. But white or chrysotile asbestos is the least risky of the three and, luckily, the most commonly used. Roofing products like asbestos sheets most frequently used white asbestos but often blended it with an amphibole asbestos (brown or blue). As a result, the concentration of asbestos and the type of asbestos cannot be simply guessed. If you think that your roofing materials may contain asbestos, call Canada’s Restoration for professional advice and analysis.
Asbestos in Roofing Indicates Possible Asbestos Elsewhere
In many cases, when asbestos abatement contractors confirm the presence of asbestos in one part of a property, the mineral can often be found elsewhere on site. This can be linked to the time period when the building was constructed. Put safety first, with a professional asbestos inspection in Montreal from the certified technicians at Canada’s Restoration Services.