In the past, asbestos was a common building material for many Edmonton homes. This means it could be hiding in plain sight in your house without you even realizing it. Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that was commonly used to enhance certain building materials’ fire resistance, insulation and strength. However, it is hazardous if these asbestos fibres are breathed in. Due to its potentially dangerous health risks, knowing if and where asbestos is in your home is essential, especially if you plan on renovating. Fortunately, Grimebusters is here to help! Below we’ll discuss four common areas in your home where asbestos could be hiding! Continue reading to learn more about where asbestos can be found in your Edmonton home.
1. Flooring
One of the most common places to find asbestos in your home is its flooring. This especially applies to homes constructed before the 1980s, as before that in Alberta, asbestos was a common building material. Suppose your flooring contains asbestos and gets damaged. In that case, benign activities such as sweeping or vacuuming may release some of those asbestos fibres into your home. Some common flooring materials that may include asbestos are as follows:
Vinyl Floor Tiles
Vinyl flooring tiles are a resilient and inexpensive material that makes them an excellent option for floors that must withstand regular wear and tear. Often they’re found in schools, hospitals, and businesses. In the past, mixing asbestos into vinyl floor tiles made the tiles more fire-resistant, durable, and better insulated. In addition, the adhesive used to apply vinyl floor tiles often also contained asbestos.
Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Similarly, vinyl sheet flooring is also a robust and affordable flooring material. Home builders often used sheet flooring as it offered a range of aesthetic designs. However, like vinyl floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring was often manufactured with asbestos backing. Once damaged, it poses a significant health risk.
Linoleum Flooring
Like vinyl flooring in appearance and application, linoleum flooring also often used asbestos. The difference between vinyl flooring and linoleum is that linoleum is made from linseed oil, pine resin, wood, cork, or mineral fillers. While linoleum is technically not vinyl, many home and business owners mistake the two. However, it’s still important to take caution when dealing with damaged linoleum flooring as it may contain asbestos.
2. Insulated Hot Water Pipes
Part of the reason asbestos was commonly used in homes and businesses is that it is very heat-resistant. For instance, often, it was used to insulate hot water pipes as it was fantastic at retaining the warmth that those pipes emanated. If the insulation around your hot water pipes is still in good condition, you should leave them be. However, if the insulation has tears, rips, ruptures, or other damage, get the professionals at Grimebusters to come and perform an asbestos removal service.
3. Drywall or Plaster Walls
Until local governments changed safety regulations and building standards, asbestos was commonly added to drywall and plaster compounds as it was an affordable way to improve the material’s insulation ability and resist fire. If your drywall or plaster contains asbestos and has become damaged or punctured, simply sanding down that blemish can result in asbestos fibres becoming airborne. That’s why it is vital to have a professional asbestos abatement company like Grimebusters test your drywall/ plaster before doing any removal or repair work.
4. Stipple or Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings were popular in homes because their crumbly appearance hid imperfections from the drywall application. However, popcorn ceilings were most popular during the height of asbestos as a building material. As a result, many homes with popcorn ceilings have been found to have asbestos. Disturbing this ceiling material can be incredibly harmful, so at the very least, call in a professional like Grimebusters to perform an asbestos test. If your ceiling contains asbestos, our team can safely remove it from your home.
Test and Free Your Home of Asbestos with Grimebusters!
Grimebusters has decades of experience removing asbestos from Edmonton homes. If you’re concerned about asbestos in your home, our team can efficiently perform an asbestos test to determine 100% if asbestos is present. If we find asbestos in your home, Grimebusters can remove it safely and efficiently. Contact us today to learn more about our asbestos removal services in Edmonton!