Category: Asbestos Removal

4 Areas Asbestos Could Be Hiding in Your Home

Posted on by atriumadmin

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!

Common Myths About Asbestos

Posted on by atriumadmin

While most people are unfamiliar with asbestos and its history, many know that it’s a dangerous material. Asbestos almost has a “boogieman” mythic quality. Many contractors and businesses used it for decades before the severe health concern side-effects became well-known. At Grimebusters, we’ve heard many misconceptions regarding the removal of asbestos. As asbestos removal experts, we want to dispel some myths surrounding it and its removal. Below are a few common myths about asbestos and the truth behind them. Continue reading to learn more about asbestos and asbestos removal.

Myth: Asbestos Isn’t Used Anymore

In Canada, in the 1990s, the federal government banned the use of asbestos-containing materials. Many people may not realize that buildings built before the ban often still contain asbestos. The only way to ensure your home or business is asbestos-free is to have a professional like Grimebusters perform specialized asbestos tests. That way, you can guarantee that your family and employees are not breathing in hazardous asbestos fibres. The following areas in your home or business are most likely to contain asbestos or asbestos-containing materials:

  • Ceiling Tiles or Stipple (Popcorn Ceilings)
  • Vinyl Floor Tiles or Roll Flooring
  • Drywall Joint Compounds
  • HVAC Duct Tapes
  • Adhesives, Mortar, Grout, and more.

So while asbestos and asbestos-containing materials are no longer available in Canada, your home or business may use these dangerous materials without your awareness. Fortunately, Grimebusters in Edmonton can help you safely dispose of the asbestos in your building. Our team of professionals understands the many health risks associated with asbestos and works diligently to ensure you, your family, and your employees will be safe.

Myth: A Mask Provides Enough Protection

While your average hardware store-grade mask will provide some protection, that protection is not enough against asbestos. Professional asbestos removers like Grimebusters utilize many layers of personal protective equipment (PPE), like a full body suit and specialty breathing masks. That way, every inch of our workers’ bodies is protected from asbestos. This high level of PPE and specialty training is required to be protected from the dangers of asbestos.

Myth: You Should Immediately Remove Asbestos

This is critical to understand, as disturbing asbestos can create a severe health risk. When asbestos is disturbed, the dangerous fibres are released into the air and are free to cause significant health concerns. If the asbestos in your home or business is contained and in good condition, the risk of fibres becoming airborne is reduced. Asbestos removal is dangerous and cannot be done as a DIY job. If you discover asbestos in your Edmonton home or business or have concerns that it may be in your building, Grimebusters is here to help!

Myth: Asbestos Removal Can Be Your Next DIY Project

Asbestos removal falls under federal and provincial regulations and should never be done by a DIYer. Asbestos can become airborne and easily be inhaled or ingested if removed improperly. Asbestos exposure can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other severe diseases and illnesses. Trained professionals like those at Grimebusters in Edmonton understand the many health and safety risks associated with asbestos removal. Our team of expert removers takes the utmost care to uphold health and safety regulation compliance and ensure that your home or business is clear and safe. At Grimebusters, we use the best containment, removal, and decontamination methods, along with high-quality equipment. We even include third-party consultation, air testing, and reporting as a part of your abatement project. That way, we can ensure that legislation has been carefully followed and limit your liability.

If you’ve discovered asbestos in your home or workplace, or have concerns about asbestos, contact Grimebusters to learn more about our asbestos removal services.