How to Identify Asbestos in Your Home or Building
Posted in Asbestos Removal, on March 15, 2023
Despite being obsolete in modern manufacturing and construction within Canada, asbestos removal in Toronto is still required in many homes and public buildings throughout the city and elsewhere in the country. Efforts to eliminate materials that contain the harmful mineral are ongoing but require property owners to schedule asbestos testing and removal with certified restoration companies in Toronto. One of the main delays in getting the asbestos removal services required, is that property owners are unaware of how to identify instances of the mineral around their property putting them at a greater risk of exposure.
Use these key tips to better recognize asbestos around your property and contact Canada’s Restoration Services for asbestos removal in Toronto and throughout the country.
Age of the Property
The age of your current home or building is a key indicator of whether it will contain asbestos. You may also want to consider the last time the property underwent construction. Asbestos was incredibly popular in construction and the manufacturing of building materials in the mid-to-late 20th century, ie. between the 1960s and 1990s. If your current residence or commercial property was built or renovated in or around that time period, there is a significant chance that asbestos-containing materials were used within that property. The best way to determine if there is asbestos in your home is with asbestos inspections and asbestos testing. By identifying the mineral you can protect yourself and your loved ones before the risk of exposure presents itself.
Where Asbestos Was Used
Asbestos was favoured in construction for its inherent properties and affordability that lead it to be used in a variety of applications. The mineral was seemingly abundant, incredibly durable, and was heat resistant which made for effective insulation and fire-resistance. Because of these qualities, asbestos is often found in pipe and duct wrap, loose-fill attic insulation, vinyl floor tiles, drywall, popcorn ceilings, as well as other materials. If asbestos testing identifies a hazardous concentration of the mineral within these items, you will need asbestos removal in Toronto.
The Colour of Asbestos
Largely, asbestos is odourless which means that it cannot be easily identified without professional asbestos testing. Because the mineral is sometimes referred to by a colour, whether it be “white asbestos” “brown asbestos”, or “blue asbestos”, this naming system may leave property owners looking for one of these colours in potentially asbestos-containing materials. While in some cases, asbestos may have a particular hue, it’s never a good idea to try and identify the mineral by its colour. To get close enough to contaminated materials to detect a colour without protective gear would put you at risk for exposure. When it comes to asbestos even the slightest contact has the potential to send fibres airborne.
Toronto Asbestos Removal
Because of the sensitivity of the mineral and the health risks associated with exposure, asbestos removal in Toronto, from detection to abatement, should always be performed by a licensed and certified technician. The Canada’s Restoration Services team is equipped with the industry knowledge, experience, and technology to execute safe and effective abatement for commercial and residential properties near Toronto and throughout Canada.
