Home / Homes & Gardens / How Canadians are keeping safe from the dangers of asbestos when moving

How Canadians are keeping safe from the dangers of asbestos when moving

Moving houses in the Greater Toronto Area is exciting, overwhelming, and busy. With lots to do, pack, and plan, the thought of asbestos may never even occur to you. Asbestos may be an active hazard if the house or condo you’re moving into is not newly built. To ensure a smooth, healthy, and safe transition to a new home, consider a professional inspection and asbestos removal in Toronto before you transfer your belongings or move your family. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Needing asbestos testing services can be scary, but your new home can be a safe and healthy environment for years with the right restoration company.

Here are some guidelines on addressing asbestos when moving to a new place.

Table of Contents

Talk to the Seller & Request SPIS

Before purchasing a home, the seller should inform you about the property’s history with asbestos. If the previous owner is aware of the mineral on their property but has never moved forward with asbestos abatement, they are obligated to share that information with you, the new owners. Asbestos is considered a latent property defect, which affects the value of the house and has the potential to harm its occupants. By requesting this information via the Seller Proprietary Information Sheet (SPIS), you can best prepare how to proceed with asbestos abatement services prior to move-in. If the seller communicates no knowledge of the mineral contamination, an asbestos inspection from a certified and licensed inspector is still a good idea.

Assess Your Risk

Since asbestos is not easily identified by the untrained eye, the best way to gauge whether there’s asbestos on your property is by the age of the house itself. In Canada, asbestos was commonly used in the 20th Century to fortify building materials, reduce fires, and improve durability. As a result, studies estimate that at least 20% of existing buildings have some form of asbestos. If your house was built before the 1990s, especially between 1960 and 1985, an inspection is in order.

A certified asbestos specialist will inspect the entirety of the house, collect samples, and send them to labs for reliable third-party testing. If the results come back positive, you can begin asbestos removal in Toronto before transferring your belongings, allowing for a seamless and efficient abatement process.

New Home Renovations & Asbestos Prevention

An important part of the move-in process, especially when buying older houses in Toronto, is renovations, maintenance, and retrofits. Unfortunately, renovations are one of the leading causes of asbestos exposure. The slightest contact with degrading asbestos can unleash fibres, sending them into the air, where they divide continually into microscopic particles that are easily inhaled. Activities associated with renovations and maintenance, such as sawing, hammering, and cutting, are more likely to send these hazardous fibres airborne, contaminating clothing, furniture, and fixtures.

Plan Your Renovations & Maintenance

Because asbestos was used strategically, it is found in common areas and building materials around the home. Know where to expect asbestos, and if you plan to work around these materials, contact an abatement and restoration company to take a look first.

Common Asbestos Containing Materials:

Attic Insulation
Ceiling Tiles & Vinyl Floor Tiles
Drywall, Vinyl Wallpaper, Popcorn Ceilings/Stucco
Pipe & Duct Wrap/Insulation (Plumbing and HVAC work)
Cement Sheets
Electrical Components
Gaskets & Connectors
Roofing Materials (Shingles & Sidings)

Don’t start your renovation or home maintenance without asbestos removal in Toronto first.

Asbestos Removal in Toronto

Asbestos abatement is key to ensuring your property is healthy and safe. While asbestos removal in Toronto may delay your move-in date, it will ensure that you start your life in your new home on the right foot. The timeline for asbestos abatement depends on the amount of asbestos on your property and the accessibility to contaminated materials. Abatement contractors focus on safe setup, complete removal, and thorough clean-up. So, on average, asbestos removal in Toronto only ranges from 1 to 5 days.

Asbestos Awareness

Asbestos in Toronto is still not a problem of the past. Canada has a rich history with the mineral, and many residential properties are still contaminated. Today, restoration companies are working with news outlets, digital marketing services, and other media services to communicate the risk of asbestos and the importance of inspections to homeowners across the city. To ensure your new home is a safe space, talk to an asbestos abatement specialist sooner rather than later.

Other articles from mtltimes.ca – totimes.ca – otttimes.ca