In a recent news story, federal government officials admitted that its agencies are not keeping track of asbestos removal projects even though it owns some 318 affected buildings across the country. The information comes from a list maintained by Public Works and Government Services Canada. In addition to those buildings, other agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade have identified 21 buildings containing asbestos or asbestos contaminated materials worldwide, including some of the official residences.
The federal government’s policy is to manage existing sites and only remove the substance when it is required by renovations or maintenance that results in “unavoidable disturbance”. Certainly asbestos has been removed from many buildings already, but is a “management only” policy really sound?
If It’s Your Home
You want to be certain about where you live, to be sure. While it’s true that asbestos can be considered “safe” if it’s in a bound form, such as in a concrete mixture in floor or ceiling tiles, any damage or deterioration can produce friable – or breathable – fibres.
Wouldn’t you want to be sure? And certainly, if you’re buying an older home, it should be an essential part of your pre-purchase checklist.
Absolutely Before You Renovate
The fact of the matter is that if your home was built before 1970, you have to assume that it contains asbestos, and it may appear in a wide variety of places including but not limited to:
- Roofing shingles
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Pipe insulation and chasing
- Popcorn ceilings
- Textured paints
Before any renovation projects, call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services for an asbestos inspection. At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer professional vermiculite and asbestos remediation services to help you contain and then rid yourself of this problem.
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.
