Are you an HVAC professional who’s stumbled across a mechanical room with asbestos tape while on a call? Or maybe you’re working in an older home but aren’t quite sure whether it’s safe to continue? Despite being phased out for new home construction over 35 years ago, asbestos is still found during renovations and HVAC installations in older homes.
In this short blog with Grimebusters, let’s get the deep dive on what takes place during an asbestos call on an HVAC worksite. If you’re looking for a reputable asbestos abatement company in Edmonton, we’re here to help. Read on with us to learn more.
Where Asbestos Is Found During HVAC Work
Before the 1990s, asbestos was widely used throughout Edmonton homes for its unique fire-resistant and insulating properties. As routine HVAC work often involves accessing attics, basements, duct systems and mechanical roomer, asbestos-containing materials are still sometimes uncovered during renovations and mechanical work today.
During HVAC work, asbestos may be found in:
- Duct & pipe insulation
- Tape
- Insulation
- Pipe wrap
- Joint compound
Why the Job Must Pause
With any HVAC work, asbestos risk is real. Whether a new furnace installation, an air conditioner tune-up, or any other servicing, any asbestos presence is cause for concern. Asbestos is most dangerous when disturbed and can easily become airborne if materials are cut, scratched, or pulled. If work continues as normal while asbestos is present, fibres can spread beyond the work area and affect the health of both your crew and the residents of the home or building.
If you find or suspect asbestos during a call, stop work immediately and avoid disturbing the area. Then, call in a professional asbestos abatement company in Edmonton.
What the Abatement Process Is
Once you call in the asbestos abatement professional, the first step is an on-site assessment. This generally includes tasks such as verifying the location of any asbestos and asking the homeowner questions, such as the year the home was built.
After the inspection is complete, the abatement team will collect samples of the suspected asbestos-containing materials for laboratory analysis. If the samples come back negative, HVAC work can safely be resume. Otherwise, a positive result for asbestos means a full containment and abatement will be required. The asbestos remediation professional will seal off the affected areas with barriers to prevent any fibres from dispersing. Once containment is in place, the asbestos-containing materials will be carefully removed and disposed of safely.
At that point, the team will fully clean and remediate the space to remove any remaining fibre residue. The final step is air clearance testing, during which air samples are taken to verify that fibre levels have been managed. Once all these steps are fully completed, your team can safety return to complete the HVAC work.
When the Work Can Resume
At Grimebusters, we’ve worked with HVAC professionals for decades, helping ensure that their worksites are fully contained and safe once asbestos is discovered. We’ll work alongside your team and the homeowners to ensure you stay informed throughout the process.
We understand the importance of keeping service calls efficient and on schedule. Our role is to ensure the space is fully remediated and habitable so your team can return with confidence. We’ll work alongside your team to ensure the area is fully cleared and safe for you to resume work.
Grimebusters, Partnering with HVAC Companies
Finding asbestos in older homes isn’t unusual. Trust Grimebusters with end-to-end asbestos abatement services in Edmonton, backed by over 30 years of experience. Family-owned and operated in Edmonton, we’re here to partner with HVAC companies, homeowners, and commercial property owners for all their asbestos remediation needs. Reach out to us today to book your asbestos testing call—and get one step closer to a safe and comfortable worksite.