Managing Asbestos

During the summer, many school boards take the opportunity of the downtime to do much needed renovations, and these days, that will most often include asbestos removal.

Public institutions like schools keep an inventory of the buildings they own and use, including an asbestos survey. Reports keep track of where asbestos and asbestos containing materials are located in the structures and these are inspected regularly to make sure that the asbestos remains contained.

Most often, the asbestos is present as part of a mixture of materials that can end up in many different places. As long as the material is intact, it’s not considered dangerous. When it deteriorates or is damaged – or anytime it releases fibres into the air which can be inhaled, then it becomes a health hazard.

In Your Home
Asbestos is fire and heat resistant as well as its nearly indestructible. Before its health risks were known, it was considered the ideal material for construction of all types, and if your home was built before 1970 you should assume it contains asbestos in one form or another.

It may be present in:

• Roofing
• Siding
• Window and other weatherproofing putty
• Ceiling tiles
• Floor tiles
• Pipe chasing

Just as public institutions keep tabs on it, you should be aware of where asbestos is located in your home and keep an eye on it regularly for damage or deterioration. It will be crucial information when you do any renovations, which will almost certainly produce asbestos containing dust when it involves those areas.

The material does eventually become brittle and break apart, capable of producing the friable – or inhalable – fibres that have been shown to cause lung disease, including mesothelioma.

Let us Help
Get peace of mind from GreenStream Environmental. If you are looking to buy or renovate an older home then do yourself a favour and include an asbestos inspection on the list of things to do.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.