Summary

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Comments: Bad for humans, pets, and the environment; dangerous to remove without proper precautions.

Is it common in Edmonton? Yes, in homes built before 1991.

For homes in Edmonton that were built in 1991 or earlier, chances are high that your home contains asbestos. Asbestos was used in home building for many years until the dangerous side effects came to light, being subsequently banned from home use in Canada. Homeowners are undergoing renovations to find that their 1980s home has asbestos in the walls. Are you currently preparing for renovations? Take a look at the following information.

What is Asbestos & How to Spot it

Asbestos is a fibrous material that is naturally occurring. It was commonly used in the construction of homes until the 1990s but was not officially banned in Canada until 2018. Many homes have asbestos in the shingles, insulation, floor tiles, and ceiling tiles. 

There are multiple types of asbestos, and its fibrous nature makes it difficult to spot. This is especially true if you are not sure what you are looking for. If your home was built before 2000, test it for asbestos before performing renovations. Should construction begin without identifying and removing asbestos properly, the fibres may break apart and enter the air, leading to serious health risks.

Concerns to Human Health

Asbestos poses severe health risks to both humans and animals. Once widely used, asbestos has been linked as a major factor in some cancers. If asbestos particles are inhaled, it can lead to critical health concerns. Concerns include, but are not limited to, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other cancers.

If you find yourself experiencing any of the following after working around asbestos, seek medical help immediately:

• Fatigue
• Facial or neck swelling
• Shortness of breath
• A persistent cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain in the chest

Checking for and removing any asbestos is always the best course of action, whether or not you are experiencing side effects. 

How to Remove Asbestos

Asbestos is not something that just anyone can remove. The removal process is intensive and requires extensive air testing to make sure no surrounding areas are affected. Please do not attempt to remove asbestos on your own.

Since it is easily broken apart into tiny, airborne particles, the removal process requires intensive equipment and procedures. At Grimebusters, we are able to complete the full cycle of asbestos abatement. We have IICRC and WRT water restoration certifications, plus all of the equipment to seal off the area and ensure total removal of the asbestos from your home. After our team is done removing the asbestos, we have a third party come in and test the space to ensure there is no remaining asbestos. 

Found asbestos in the home? Protect yourself and any humans or pets in the home by calling Grimebusters. Our team will be in touch shortly to make sure that you get the help you need to have a healthy home once more. 

If you have an emergency, you can reach our 24-hour emergency service at 780-441-9006.