Have you found your dream home, and just want to make a few changes?
As we move into our new homes or want to upgrade the current one we own there are multiple steps to plan for and many service providers to help us achieve that dream. We tend to think of carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, project managers, architects, and interior designers to name a few, but we often forget about testing companies.
If your home in BC and was built before 1990, there is a chance some of the building material contains Asbestos.
Asbestos was widely used in B.C. as a building material until the early 1990s. Asbestos is a strong, fire-resistant mineral fibre. Asbestos was used as insulation against heat, or noise and for fire protection. It was also added to materials such as cement and plaster to give them more structural strength so it can be present in many areas of older buildings. If asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and left intact, they do not pose a significant danger of releasing asbestos fibre into the air you breathe. To avoid disturbing asbestos-containing materials, you must know where they are before you begin renovating. If you suspect asbestos is present, do not touch or move it (Worksafe BC).
Links to learn more:
Asbestos (WorkSafe BC)
Asbestos Hazards When Renovating Older Homes (WorkSafe BC)
Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos (WorkSafe BC)
Disposal of Asbestos (Hartland Landfill)
List of hazardous materials survey, testing, and removal service providers (Hartland Landfill)
