Asbestos Testing

Asbestos was widely used in older construction materials, especially before the 1980s, due to its fire resistance, durability, and its ability to strengthen various materials. Here are some examples of materials where asbestos may be found:

• Plaster and plaster joints: Commonly used in older buildings, these materials could contain asbestos to enhance their strength and durability.
• Cement: Asbestos was often mixed into cement to make it stronger and fire-resistant.
• Stucco: Asbestos is frequently found in stucco, whether in ceilings (commonly known as popcorn ceiling or textured ceilings/walls) or stucco walls.
• Tiles: Asbestos was historically used in old vinyl floor tiles and even in ceiling tiles to increase their durability and resistance to wear.
• Heating systems: It was very common to cover furnaces or other fire-prone heating systems with asbestos. Asbestos sheets and panels were also sometimes installed above furnaces for added fire protection.
• Insulation: Asbestos can be found in some insulation materials, particularly vermiculite. Vermiculite with asbestos was quite popular in the past, especially when sourced from contaminated mines or from companies like Zonolite.

If you discover the presence of asbestos in friable materials or materials you wish to remove, it is important to contact a specialized asbestos removal company by calling 438-800-2046 to ensure the work is carried out safely.

A material containing asbestos does not release fibers as long as it remains in good condition, is not friable, and is not disturbed. It is when this material becomes friable and/or damaged, for example, during residential demolition or renovation work, that asbestos fibers can be released into the air and pose health risks when inhaled.

For this reason, it is essential to contact qualified professionals by calling 438-800-2046 if you have any doubts or if the work involves these materials.

The requirement for asbestos testing before residential renovation or demolition work depends on municipal regulations, which can vary from one city to another. Therefore, it is important to check the requirements with your municipality before starting your project.

However, if you suspect the presence of asbestos in certain materials, it is prudent to assume they contain asbestos until testing confirms otherwise. This precaution ensures your safety, as well as the safety of your family and workers, by minimizing the risks associated with asbestos fiber exposure when handling or disturbing the affected materials.

A positive asbestos test means that it is crucial to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of occupants and comply with current regulations. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Prioritize the affected areas: Identify the locations and materials containing asbestos that you want to remove first. This step helps evaluate the scope of the work needed and the level of risk involved.
2. Obtain a professional estimate: Contact an asbestos removal specialist for an evaluation and a detailed quote by calling 438-800-2046. To speed up the quote process, prepare photos and measurements of the materials you wish to remove. This information allows the evaluators to base their assessment on the volume and friability of the materials.
3. Complete asbestos removal before any renovations or selling the property: It is essential to safely remove the asbestos before starting any work or putting your property up for sale. This prevents health risks for occupants and makes the property more appealing to potential buyers.

It is highly recommended to hire professionals to handle or collect materials that may contain asbestos. This precaution ensures your safety, as well as the safety of current occupants, potential future owners, and workers.

If you collect a sample yourself instead of entrusting this task to a laboratory technician, the test result cannot be certified. Only a laboratory analysis can confirm the presence or absence of asbestos, as it is not detectable by the naked eye. Therefore, it is always advisable to have a laboratory technician collect samples from the material you want to test, ensuring that they can analyze them in the lab and provide you with a certified analysis report.

In the context of a real estate transaction, financial institutions and insurance companies now require a certified asbestos test for collected samples. Additionally, if asbestos removal work is performed, certified post-work asbestos air testing is needed to prove the absence of residual asbestos fibers. A house free of asbestos, along with proof of compliant work, will also be more appealing to potential buyers.