In Canada, any residential or commercial structures that were built before 1990 most likely contained large amounts of asbestos. Whether it was for insulation or fireproofing, asbestos was a fairly common building material for the better part of the 20th century.
It wasn’t until the mid-1960s when scientists started discovering that asbestos was linked to a series of health problems among the miners who were producing it and property owners who were exposed to it. Nowadays, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure are well-documented.
If you’re planning on purchasing a property that was built before 1990, then it’s in your best interest to have it professionally tested for asbestos.
In the event that asbestos is present in the property in question, you should seriously consider hiring a professional asbestos testing and removal service in Mississauga and the rest of the GTA.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Professional Asbestos Testing and Removal Service?
Long-term asbestos exposure can lead to serious health problems, so it’s best to make sure that the removal process is done as efficiently and thoroughly as possible. Here are eight reasons you should consider hiring a professional asbestos removal company in your area to take care of this problem for you.
Access to Well-Trained Technicians with Ample Experience
Trained professional asbestos removal technicians have the expertise to accurately identify and carefully handle asbestos. They’re also equipped with state-of-the-art safety gear, also known as personal protective equipment (PPE) that prevents them from inhaling or making direct contact with asbestos. PPE worn during asbestos testing and removal include:
- Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to avoid asbestos fibre inhalation
- Disposable or washable asbestos-resistant overalls to avoid carrying asbestos fibres off the jobsite
- Non-laced steel toe footwear along with disposable boot covers to prevent injury and avoid carrying asbestos fibres off the jobsite
Professional asbestos remediation technicians also receive ongoing training to continuously update their knowledge and routinely sharpen their skills. They’re well-versed in specific industry-recognized asbestos removal and management techniques that ensure safe remediation with minimal to no risk of injury or exposure to asbestos fibres.
Thorough Asbestos Testing and Removal
It’s not recommended that you try to remove asbestos yourself. This is not an appropriate DIY project as it can lead to serious injury and health risks. Leave it up to professional technicians who know what they’re doing and have the proper equipment available to them. Asbestos tends to hide in plain sight and can go undetected for years. You need someone with the knowledge, training, and experience to remove every last bit of it from your property.
Asbestos remediation technicians use special tools to accurately and efficiently test for the presence of asbestos throughout residential and commercial properties. The testing process involves taking several samples of the affected building material and then running extensive lab tests to identify and segregate any suspected asbestos fibres. Those fibres then undergo rigorous testing to ascertain the presence of asbestos within the structure.
Once the lab tests are conclusive, the asbestos abatement supervisor and industrial hygienist will develop a specific scope of work following Ontario regulation 278/05. Remediation technicians will then return to the property to secure the premises and follow the aforementioned scope of work.
Breathe Easier Knowing That Asbestos Is Fully Removed from Your Property
It’s no secret that asbestos is bad for your health. Over the years, it’s been linked to a number of respiratory illnesses, birth defects, and various types of cancer including mesothelioma and lung cancer. For this reason, it’s always better to hire a professional technician to ensure that all asbestos fibres are completely removed from your property before moving in or doing renovations.
Proper Asbestos Identification
Asbestos identification is an important aspect of removing this toxic substance from your property once and for all. Professional asbestos abatement, remediation, and removal technicians have the training, experience, and knowledge to identify which materials may contain asbestos and should be removed from your property. They work closely with industrial hygienists during testing, scoping, and clearance phases of the project.
Even though the use of asbestos in the construction industry is largely regulated by the government, some building materials still contain trace or large amounts of it and can be toxic upon exposure or direct contact. Professionals also know which materials can safely be removed and which ones should be properly sealed and left undisturbed.
Lack of Asbestos Disturbance
When asbestos is moved or disturbed, the fibres can become airborne and that’s when the substance is most toxic. Repair and renovation projects will always result in some dust and debris particles becoming airborne, regardless of how careful you are. So, it’s important to err on the side of caution and leave asbestos removal and remediation up to the professionals who know how to handle it best.
Asbestos Removal Experts Use a Systemic Approach
Any time you’re embarking on a construction, repair, or renovation project, it’s always best to take on an organized and systemic approach. That way, you can guarantee quality workmanship that will extend the lifespan of your property, increase structural integrity, and reduce the risk of injury on the job.
Professional asbestos abatement and removal technicians take on a carefully planned systemic approach to make sure that all asbestos fibres are properly identified and carefully removed from your property or sealed up.
Safe Removal and Proper Disposal of Asbestos
Asbestos removal technicians know how to remove asbestos safely and carefully from residential and commercial properties without disturbing the particles. They also have exclusive access to hazardous waste management facilities that can appropriately dispose of the asbestos and control the risk of inhalation.
Reduce the Risk of Exposure and Injury
There’s a reason why professional asbestos removal technicians need to undergo Ontario Health and Occupational Safety training. This certification provides ongoing training that can help reduce the risk of asbestos exposure and on-the-job injuries. Without the proper training and equipment, removing asbestos can lead to serious health and safety risks.
If you’re looking for professional asbestos testing and removal in Mississauga, contact GTA Property Service Group Inc. today. Our industrial hygienist is available to inspect your property and prepare written protocols and procedures for your unique project. We can remove any and all asbestos-containing materials from your premises. In addition to being a fully certified asbestos abatement company, we’re also fully insured for pollution liability.