Asbestos and Renovations
With the real estate market rebounding, we have seen a lot of people moving into their new homes and investing in renovations. Some of the renovations might come with a little surprise, especially if the homes are 1990 or older. There is a high chance that some of the materials in your home might contain asbestos. If you decide to do any upgrades to your home, approach the renovation with caution and please take into consideration the following:
- Consult a reputable and a trusted contractor such as Asbestos Busters. and have your home tested for asbestos prior to start. Keep your home and your family safe.
- Many people think that a DIY job will save them money. It might be the case in some situations but not in all. Make a plan, be proactive and diligent. Asbestos is a hazardous material and if it’s not handled properly can cause damage to health. Professionals know how to handle and remove asbestos safely.
- Try to keep your expenses on budget considering a 10% plus or minus. This will allow you to cover some unexpected expenses to solve unforeseen problems.
- Consider reusing some of the material you currently have. When updating a counter, the flooring or light fixtures consider buying from a second hand shop. Many places such as Habitat for Humanity carry incredible inventory that you can utilize in your project! Not only you are helping the environment but you are also giving back.
By maintaining and upkeeping your home, you are caring for your investment. Your home should be a safe place to live and laugh.
Choosing an asbestos contractor may feel overwhelming, so we have put together a four-part series of 12 important things we think you should look for when hiring an asbestos contractor. This series will be broken into three points per post to make the information easy to digest and help you focus on a few things at a time during your search.
By definition, asbestos is a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics, and is used in fire-resistant and insulating materials such as brake linings. In english, it is an insulator with great fire protection properties that is resistant to chemical erosion. What are the risks? Asbestos isn’t hazardous until it is disturbed, often from renovations or demolitions. Breathing exposed asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases including, asbestois, mesthelima and lung cancer. Does my home contain asbestos? If your house was built between 1950 – 1990, it is likely that there is some form of asbestos. It is often hard to tell because asbestos was mixed with with many other materials. Before doing any renovations you must have your drywall tested for asbestos. HERE is a link to asbestos testing facilities. Common uses for asbestos: Insulation Linoleum Floor tiles Drywall Cement board and tiles Textured decorative coatings Cement pipers Please click on the following link to see which materials may be asbestos containing: Asbestos Hazards for Homeowners What do I do if my home contains asbestos? If your home contains asbestos and you’re looking to do renovation, call us, we specialize in Asbestos Abatement and can safely remove and dispose of all contaminated materials. Find more information on how we can help HERE .