Asbestos Removal and Abatement Services in Ottawa

Asbestos in your home can be a problem. It has been linked to many dangerous health concerns and can cause permanent damage to your lungs and respiratory system. Thankfully, there is an easy solution for helping remove asbestos from your Ottawa dwelling. Whether residential or business, there are solutions available to help reduce exposure to asbestos and help to mitigate and manage the asbestos levels indoors.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that develops in soil. It is resistant to fire, water, and corrosion, which made it a popular choice for building materials and insulation for many decades. Over the years, it has been manufactured in different ways and in different products, so unfortunately the dangers were not immediately known. Asbestos is also used in the production of several other products, including as fire retardant, in friction products such as brakes and toasters, and even heat-resistant fabrics.

Homes built between 1930 and 1985 generally have some type of asbestos within the walls, floors, siding, exterior, and more. Because of this, asbestos exposure can be a great concern, especially to those residing in an Ottawa home.

What is Asbestos Abatement in Ottawa Homes?

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that needs to be handled carefully. Removing it can be tricky, as disturbing it can cause these fibers to release in the air when they can be inhaled into the lungs. Thankfully, there are ways to help reduce the risk of these fibers releasing into the air through a process known as asbestos abatement.

Since asbestos was such a popular option for building homes, there are many dwellings where it can be found throughout walls, floors, exterior siding, attics, basements, and more. When it is discovered, or if you are planning to make changes to your home that may potentially disturb or require these areas to be exposed, an abatement professional might need to be called in to help you safely remove and dispose of any hazardous materials.

Sealing asbestos materials is also an option. Whenever possible, abatement can also include encapsulation, which refers to sealing away exposed materials. If the asbestos cannot be safely removed completely, any areas that must remain can be sealed off so the fibers cannot escape into the air and cause harm to any residents of the home.

Health Concerns and Risks of Asbestos Exposure

When first discovered, asbestos was found to have many beneficial properties and was cheap to produce and use for a variety of construction, automotive, and fire-resistant products. Exposure to asbestos may not cause immediate issues, and long term exposure effects may not be known for several years after the fact. However, it has since been discovered that long-term exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health issues, such as:

• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Respiratory issues
• Fibrosis of the lung tissue
• Pleural plaques

Unfortunately, since many homes today still have asbestos within the ceilings, walls, floors, and more, exposure can occur often without even realizing. This often happens when damage occurs to these areas with asbestos, such as cracks in the wall revealing exposed vermiculite, often found in insulation, which was popularly made with asbestos fibers.

When released into the air, these dangerous asbestos fibers can be inhaled, where they can cause scarring of the tissue, and weaken the lungs and throat. This leaves people susceptible to developing cancers and other serious diseases and health issues. Prolonged asbestos exposure will increase these risks, which is why it is so important to have your Ottawa home tested for asbestos, especially if it was built before 1985.

Managing Asbestos Exposure

If you suspect your home may have asbestos, you can look into asbestos testing in Ottawa to help you get a better understanding of what can be done. An asbestos sample can be taken to test and determine if the area is at risk. It may be a good time to consider calling in professionals to give you an asbestos inspection and assessment if you are:

1. Moving into a new property
2. Have damage to your home
3. Are planning to do any renovations which require breaking down walls or exposing construction materials
4. Or, have an older home that is showing signs of deteriorating

If you’ll be performing renovations and potentially exposing walls, ceilings, or other areas where there may be asbestos, there are also many steps you can take to help mitigate any exposure in your home. To have materials that contain asbestos removed, you will have to call a professional, but here are some ways you can reduce your exposure and protect you, your family, your pets, and any other residents of the dwelling from inhaling dangerous asbestos fibers:

• Limit activities in the area. If possible, reduce traffic in any area that is currently being renovated or has asbestos exposure.
• Avoid dry cleaning methods. Sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, or wiping down areas with dry rags can just push the fibers around. Instead, opt for wet cleaning rags, pads, and brushes if it is safe to clean the area.
• Avoid eating, drinking, and smoking in any areas that you are doing renovations.
• Use doormats and remove shoes to prevent dust and dirt from tracking through your home.
• Use HEPA air filters whenever possible, this includes any air filters, vacuums, or other products you may be using to clean the area or reduce air pollution.
• Use water to reduce the chance of asbestos fibers becoming airborne. For example, wet any walls or use wet cleaning materials to wipe down any areas that may have been cut or recently sanded.
• Wear protective material including masks, respirators, coveralls, and any other necessary equipment that will reduce exposure and transfer to others.
• Whenever possible, avoid disturbing, exposing, or unsealing any asbestos material you find. In some cases, sheets, insulation, and other products are sealed and can be removed without majorly disturbing or exposing the asbestos fibers.

  

The best way to ensure you are not unnecessarily exposed to asbestos is to enlist the help of professionals. Licensed contractors will know the best way to reduce disturbing asbestos materials, and calling in professionals like our team can help you safely discard any materials that are removed from your home.

Improving Air Quality After Asbestos Removal

Once you have safely removed or encapsulated any asbestos materials in your home, you may still feel weary about the air quality in your home. In order to ensure that any potential residual fibers in the air area are not just being passed around the home, any type of indoor purification product must include a HEPA filter, which will catch any emissions and prevent them from being transferred. Be sure to take the proper steps to clean and replace your HEPA filters as directed.

Some simple ways you can improve the air quality in your home include:

• Increasing ventilation by opening windows and doors whenever possible
• Keep up and change HVAC filters regularly
• Manage the humidity in your dwelling by monitoring and regulating in each room of your home
• Regularly clean and tidy, which can include dusting, mopping, or using other methods to reduce pollution or potential asbestos fibers from spreading
• Utilize high quality air purifiers and dehumidifiers whenever possible

Simon Air Quality offers air purifier options such as the Amaircare 3000 that can be used to regulate the emissions in one room, the whole house, or a designated area. Using products like these that utilize HEPA filters, carbon filters, and similar purification and filtration processes can help you breathe comfortably and protect your home and family.

Professional Asbestos Removal and Abatement

Simon Air Quality offers asbestos removal and abatement services in Ottawa, Kemptville, Carleton Place, Orleans, Kanata, Cornwall, Cumberland, Casselman, Brockville, Rockland, Dunrobin, Morrisburg, Alfred, Sharbot Lake, Barrhaven and the surrounding areas. Our team of professionals can help you test and assess the area, whether you are moving into a new dwelling, remodeling, or have experienced damage that exposed construction materials contain asbestos fibers.

If your Ottawa home has asbestos, you may also consider having it tested for other hazardous materials or emissions that may be present and affect the air quality in your home. If you suspect there may be something affecting you, such as radon, mold or something similar, you can get an assessment by calling us today at 613-866-2092 or taking our indoor air quality assessment survey.