Understanding Asbestos Removal

Asbestos is a dangerous building material that was used primarily in older homes built between 1900 and 1980. Many homeowners worry that they might be unknowingly exposed to asbestos when they decide to tackle a home project. Winnipeg Demolition is an experienced contractor who can help you to handle these situations. 

Learn more about asbestos and how to deal with it in your home here. 

How to Identify Asbestos

Many homeowners are looking for an easy answer when it comes to identifying which building materials contain this harmful ingredient. Unfortunately, there usually is no way to tell if your materials contain asbestos simply by looking at them. In rare instances, you might find materials that are marked as containing asbestos, but this is the only way you would be able to tell simply by sight. 

Instead, you should always treat the situation with care if you suspect that your building material may contain asbestos. Call in a professional who can take a sample of your material and send it off to a local lab for testing. This is the only surefire way to prove that your building materials do or do not contain asbestos. 

What to Do If You Find Asbestos

If it turns out that your home contains asbestos, the best thing to do is leave it alone and limit your exposure to the area. There are no safe levels of exposure to this harmful ingredient. You will need to call in professionals who have the equipment and experience to remove the material from the home and discard it properly. 

Keep in mind that airborne asbestos is not the only way that you can suffer serious health consequences from exposure. It also clings to your clothes and can be carried to other parts of the home or to more vulnerable family members. Asbestos removal in Winnipeg is not a weekend DIY project that you should attempt to tackle on your own due to the serious health consequences that could result from exposure. 

Have Asbestos Professionally Removed

The process to remove asbestos from the house is not a simple one. You and your pets will need to find other living arrangements while a professional asbestos abatement company comes in to remove the material. The affected areas of the home will be sectioned off with plastic. They will also seal your vents and ducts to prevent the airborne materials from spreading to the rest of the home. 

Clean Up Appropriately

A professional crew will also do a thorough job cleaning up before they leave. All the rooms that were affected by the asbestos should be cleaned with a HEPA vacuum to eliminate lingering particles. If an item was used in the removal of the asbestos, it should be removed from the home along with the waste products. 

Test Your Air Quality

Before you move back in, you may want to hire a consultant to assess the air quality of your home to ensure that no asbestos is lingering. Wait for the all-clear before you head back into the home. 

Risk Factors

When should you be concerned about a building material containing this harmful ingredient? One way to determine whether it is likely that your paint, insulation, shingles, or other materials contain asbestos is to look out for some of these risk factors. Take a look and see if your home meets any of the criteria:  

Older Homes

An older home is significantly more likely to contain asbestos than a new home that was built in the past decade or so. If your home was built before 1980, it is safe to assume that asbestos is in some part of the home. Before you tackle any major home renovation projects, be sure to have the material tested before disturbing it. 

Dimpled Materials

Another key risk factor for asbestos is dimpled building materials. Keep an eye out for shingles and other roofing material as well as insulation that causes dimpling. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to put your project on hold until you can get the results of your lab testing back. 

Call in the Professionals

If you suspect that you may have asbestos in your home, be sure to contact a professional asbestos abatement company like Winnipeg Demolition. We have the equipment and experience necessary to safely remove this material from your home. Give us a call today to see how we can help you!