Asbestos and Plumbing Repairs

If you own a home that was built before the early 1980s, you are probably aware that it may contain asbestos in various forms. Perhaps you have had floor or ceiling tiles replaced, or the attic insulation. But, there’s an area of your home that you may not consider when you’re thinking about asbestos risk – plumbing.

Asbestos in Plumbing
Asbestos was once thought of as an ideal material for plumbing and many other construction applications. Because it is virtually indestructible, and has superior thermal transfer properties that keep temperatures constant, it was used in a wide variety of plumbing products, largely between the 1940s and 1980s. You may find it in many areas.

• Thermal insulation used to line pipes, boilers, ducts, and tanks;
• Joint compounds;
• Cement/asbestos pipes;
• Pipe blocks;
• Laminated asbestos felt;
• Valves and gaskets;
• Coating for pipes;
• Welding rods;
• Caulking.

What are the implications? Asbestos and asbestos containing materials are considered safe as long as they are intact. However, as you work on plumbing, you may be sanding, sawing, cutting, drilling, joining pipes, and other activities that disturb or damage the material. You then create the asbestos dust that can be inhaled – and which can damage your lungs.

What Should You Do?
No amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe. The risks include lung damage that can lead to respiratory issues, up to and including lung cancers and mesothelioma.

• If you are doing DIY repairs, you need to know whether there is asbestos present or not.
• If you are hiring a plumber, you need to inform them of any risks – including potential asbestos exposure.
• If you know there is asbestos containing material where you want to work, then give us a call.

We Can Help
If you have asbestos in your home, let us help with the next step: asbestos removal. Our experienced and certified asbestos removal and asbestos remediation technicians can help keep you and your family safe. In the Toronto area call Environmental at (416) 818-9414. Contact us for a quote today.

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.