Top 3 Tips for Safe Asbestos Abatement in Calgary

Asbestos was once a common material used in construction for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. However, we now know that asbestos fibers, when disturbed and inhaled, can pose serious health risks, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Many older homes and buildings in Calgary still contain asbestos in materials like insulation, flooring, and ceiling tiles. If you suspect your property has asbestos, it’s essential to handle its removal with care and professionalism. At 24/7 Restoration, we understand how overwhelming asbestos abatement can feel, so we’ve put together our top three tips to ensure your asbestos removal is done safely and effectively.

1. Always Hire Certified Professionals

One of the most critical tips for asbestos abatement is to never attempt to remove asbestos on your own. Asbestos removal is highly specialized work that requires the skills and knowledge of certified professionals. Hiring a certified asbestos abatement company in Calgary is essential for ensuring that the process is safe, legal, and effective.

Why Certified Professionals Matter:

• Expertise and Training: Asbestos abatement professionals are trained to handle asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) safely. They understand the best techniques for containing and removing asbestos without releasing harmful fibers into the air.

• Proper Equipment: Certified professionals use specialized tools like HEPA-filtered vacuums, negative air pressure machines, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure that the asbestos removal process is as safe as possible.

• Legal Compliance: Asbestos abatement is subject to strict regulations. Certified professionals know the local and federal laws that govern asbestos removal, ensuring that the work is done in compliance with all legal requirements, including proper disposal of asbestos waste.

Attempting DIY asbestos removal can expose you to dangerous fibers and lead to improper disposal, which can cause environmental contamination and legal penalties. To keep yourself and your family safe, it’s best to leave asbestos abatement to the experts.

2. Conduct a Thorough Asbestos Inspection

Before starting any renovation or demolition work, it’s essential to conduct a thorough asbestos inspection. This step helps identify asbestos-containing materials in your home, so you can avoid disturbing them unintentionally.

The Importance of an Asbestos Inspection:

• Hidden Asbestos Materials: Asbestos can be hidden in places you might not expect, such as under flooring, behind walls, or in ceiling tiles. A professional inspection will identify all areas where asbestos is present, reducing the risk of accidental exposure.

• Accurate Identification: Not all materials that appear to be asbestos actually contain it. A certified inspector will take samples of suspected materials and send them for laboratory testing to confirm the presence of asbestos. This way, you won’t waste time or money removing materials that are safe.

• Prevention of Health Risks: Without a proper inspection, you might disturb asbestos during renovations or repairs, releasing harmful fibers into the air. Conducting an inspection before any work begins helps ensure that asbestos-containing materials are managed safely.

At 24/7 Restoration, we provide professional asbestos inspections to identify potential risks in your home. This is an essential step in protecting your family from asbestos exposure and ensuring that abatement is done only where necessary.

3. Prioritize Safety Precautions

Even if you’re not directly involved in the asbestos abatement process, it’s important to take proper safety precautions to protect yourself, your family, and anyone working in your home.

Key Safety Measures:

• Limit Access to Affected Areas: If asbestos is identified in your home, it’s crucial to limit access to those areas until abatement is complete. Professionals will use barriers and plastic sheeting to contain asbestos fibers and prevent them from spreading to other parts of the house.

• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): If you must enter an area where asbestos abatement is happening, wear proper PPE such as an N95 mask or higher, gloves, coveralls, and safety goggles. This reduces your risk of inhaling asbestos fibers or contaminating your clothing.

• Air Quality Control: Professional abatement companies use negative air pressure machines to contain asbestos fibers in the work area. This equipment ensures that air flows into the contaminated space but not out, keeping the rest of your home safe from asbestos particles.

By working with certified professionals who follow strict safety protocols, you can feel confident that your home will be asbestos-free without putting your health at risk.