While asbestos is currently banned in Canada, it was a common material in new home construction for several decades. It was used into the 1990s and officially banned by the government in 2016. Lawmakers banned the use of asbestos due to its incredibly harmful impact on our health. Owners of older homes and buildings need to approach renovations with full awareness that asbestos could be present. Shoudl those asbestos fibres be disturbed, you could put yourself and family at risk.
Defining asbestos and understanding the hazards
Asbestos is a natural product made from silicate fibres. The fibrous material has properties like heat and fire resistance and strength, which made it attractive to builders and led to its inclusion in many types of construction products. However, it was eventually found that asbestos has devastating health effects.
The hazards of asbestos
Disrupting any older materials containing asbestos releases the material into the air. It is dangerous to both handle and breathe in asbestos and is considered so due to the long-term and harmful effects it can have on the respiratory system. One of the most notable dangers of asbestos is that it is a carcinogen. Inhaling even the smallest amounts can cause the development of lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Additionally, contact with asbestos can lead to other breathing disorders or lung diseases. For these reasons, homeowners and building owners must have older structures professionally tested before a renovation starts. Professional testing companies will be equipped with proper uniforms, protections, tools, and training to safely test for this hazardous material.
Where can you find asbestos in an older building?
Asbestos was added to numerous building materials before 1990 in Canada and Calgary. It is essential for any homeowner or business owner (especially those planning for even minor renovations) on an older space to note where they could find asbestos in the building. Asbestos can be found in various materials used in almost every part of a home or building. These could include structural components like:
- Exterior siding
- Foundations
- Cement structures
- Flooring
- Ceiling tiles
- Insulation
- Roof shingles
- Drywall compound
- Wall and ceiling texture
- Plaster or putty
- Heating systems
Testing for asbestos
Asbestos testing companies in Calgary must adhere to professional and legal standards—whether for only testing or testing and removal of asbestos. The company will test the possibly contaminated materials and the air by taking samples and sending those to a qualified laboratory. If asbestos is found, the owner must hire a certified asbestos removal company in Calgary. Some companies offer both services, while others focus on testing for and identifying hazardous materials.
If your home was constructed before 1990, it could contain asbestos. Moreover, older homes and buildings in Calgary could contain lead paint, radon, products, and other silicate products. If you are concerned about any of these or other hazardous building materials, have your home tested before renovating.
When it comes to testing and removing any hazardous material, it is crucial to hire trusted professionals. Asbestos, as mentioned above, is incredibly harmful and a carcinogen that needs to be handled with the utmost care and safety precautions. Our list of the top asbestos companies in Calgary includes those with proper training and licensing credentials, who are committed to safety, and who follow local legislation for testing or removal.
1. Eco Abate Inc.
Eco Abate Inc.’s primary mission is to provide reliable and professional environmental testing with a strong focus on customer service. This helps to make them a top choice for asbestos testing in Calgary, as well as testing for other hazardous materials. Additionally, Eco Abate Inc. delivers indoor air quality testing to check for harmful materials like asbestos or mould. Eco Abate Environmental Solutions provides testing and assessment packages for various needs; these include residential renovations, demolitions for new homes, or commercial and industrial needs. No matter the scope of your asbestos testing, Eco Abate has a solution for your home or company. Their professionals can also test for contaminants like radon, lead, or silica.
Key Services & Features
- Asbestos testing
- Mould testing
- Testing for large and small renovations, home demolitions, industrial and commercial
- Industrial surveys and occupational hygiene assessments
- Air and material testing
- Also, test for radon, lead, and silica
- Indoor air quality monitoring
Customer Feedback
Danielle came out and did some asbestos testing for us when we realized our shower had been leaking and we had moldy drywall to tear out. It’s very stressful having to deal with a situation like that, and I was really impressed with the service she provided. Not only did she thoroughly test the area we had to demolish to give us peace of mind that it was safe to tackle, but she also gave us excellent advice about how to handle mold. I truly feel like this company has your best interest at heart and would highly recommend them.
– Ethan and Emily, Google
2. Wise Abatement
Calgary’s locally owned and operated Wise Abatement offers homeowners over 10 years of experience, plus a Safe Removal Guarantee. Wise Abatement specializes in asbestos removal and testing, with additional mould remediation services. primaryr main mission is to test for, detect, and remove all mould or asbestos to fully protect customers. As Wise Abatement works to protect you from harmful materials, they operate on a strict code of honesty, integrity, and dependability to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction. The Wise Abatement process starts with a thorough inspection, during which they can test for asbestos, mould, lead in the paint, or vermiculite. From there, Wise Abatement creates tailored solutions for each testing and removal project to create their Safe Removal Guarantee.
Key Services & Features
- Asbestos testing and removal
- Mould testing, removal, and remediation
- Also, remove vermiculite and lead paint
- Over a decade of abatement experience
Customer Feedback
Shared Vision Developments has teamed up with Wise Abatement on all of our renovations, additions, remodels, and repairs for the last 4 years. Whether it be clean demo or abatement services, the team at Wise has always been our first choice. Being a General Contractor, I cannot say enough about their attention to detail from start to finish. Wise has always provided us (and our clients) with specific scope of work documents, top notch site protection, clean and efficient progress with timely scheduling, and thoughtful cleanup. All renovations have specific upfront challenges, but often they also have unforeseen obstacles that crop up mid-project. We have always found the team at Wise to be knowledgeable, helpful, and above all, fair, when dealing with these difficult situations. In short, Wise Abatements is a quality demo and abatement contractor with a proven track record of efficiency, attention to detail, and fairness.
– Shared Vision Developments, Google
3. Certified Asbestos Removal & Restoration Inc.
Certified Asbestos Removal & Restoration Inc. offers professional asbestos testing in Calgary and Saskatoon. Both teams are comprised of certified, trained, and experienced technicians committed to high levels of customer service. Moreover, Certified Asbestos Removal & Restoration has over 15 years of experience working with Calgary homeowners. They specialize in asbestos and the identification and removal of additional hazardous materials. Count on their team for the safe removal and disposal of materials like mercury, lead paint, or ozone-depleting substances. And count on Certified Asbestos Removal & Restoration Inc. for smaller residential projects to larger commercial and workplace projects.
Key Services & Features
- Asbestos testing and removal
- Air and material testing
- Hazardous waste removal and disposal
- Demolition services, including excavations and commercial spaces
- Restorations for water, fire, or weather damages
- Services in Calgary and Saskatoon
Customer Feedback
This company was so knowledgeable, helpful, and generous with their time. They patiently talked me through the different levels of looking at my indoor air quality to help me better manage a chronic health situation. They explained all of the different ways to look at active and inactive particulates, cleaning up problems, and managing a high quality and healthy air in my home. I’m really grateful for their time and patience answering questions and finding solutions!
– Sherene, Google
4. Amity Environmental Inc.
Get in touch with Amity Environmental Inc. for asbestos testing in Calgary from one of the city’s highest-rated companies. Amity Environmental is a dependable and professional team that goes above and beyond for customers. Amity Environmental Inc. specializes in asbestos testing, asbestos removal, mould inspections, and mould remediation. All Amity Environmental Inc.’s work begins with a free estimate and clear communication about the work required. And while they specialize in mould and asbestos, Amity Environmental Inc. has experience with other hazardous materials. They believe in a safety-first approach and in protecting Calgary families from contaminants. Simply ask their experts about any materials or areas of concern, and they will be happy to remove what they can! With a team of over 25 years of combined experience, Amity Envionmental Inc. has the tools, training, and knowledge to work safely, efficiently, and professionally.
Key Services & Features
- Asbestos testing and removal
- Mould testing and remediation
- Free estimates available
- Hazardous material assessments
Customer Feedback
A shower back up created a disgusting mess in the basement! Sewage and black mold everywhere, and on top of it, the drywall contained asbestos!
The Amity Environmental team built a containment around the area to ensure no hazardous asbestos fibers or mold spores escaped into the upstairs before starting their work. Demolition and removal of the offending materials was started to complete mold remediation and asbestos abatement before finally cleaning and sanitizing the walls studs and floors.
Just 4 days were required end to end, and an Air Quality Clearance certificate was provided to prove that the home was again safe.
Safe, friendly, and affordable – Great job Amity Environmental!
– Dustin, HomeStars
5. Envirotech Abatement & Remediation
Envirotech Abatement & Remediation restores properties and creates healthy environments in Calgary with a commitment to customer service. They do so with over 25 years of industry experience that covers over 2,500 projects. The Envirotech Abatement & Remediation team comprises highly trained, certified, and licensed technicians who offer solutions through the latest testing and removal technologies. Their team specializes in testing for and the removal of asbestos or mould. Their tools, training, and experience enable the Envirotech team to identify and remove other materials like lead paint! Regarding the unpredictability of Calgary weather, Envirotech is there for homeowners with complete restoration services- whether for flood, fire, wind, or hail damage.
Key Services & Features
- Asbestos testing and removal
- Mould testing and removal
- Also, remove lead paint
- Restorations for water, fire, or weather damages
- Also service Airdrie, Okotoks, Red Deer, and Chestermere
Customer Feedback
We recently discovered a water issue in our bathroom that caused mold to start growing. We called this company for a consultation, Eugene was able to come out for an inspection the same day. He was extremely caring and pleasant to deal with and felt for our situation. We decided to go with this company and they started work right away, they took the time to cover the floors in our house that led to the problem area to ensure no damage to floors as materials were hauled in and out, they worked fast and constantly kept us informed. Overall we were very happy with their service and highly recommend them for any remediation needs!
– Val, Google
As the companies above have shown, a professional asbestos testing company is always committed to safety. The company’s training, certifications, and professionalism will show this during estimates. The quote and estimate phase is significant for getting to know a company, learning about its customer service levels, and learning about pricing.
RenovationFind is dedicated to finding the highest-rated, full-trained, and safety-oriented companies through a rigorous search. We assess customer feedback, reviews, certifications, licensing, WCB, and previous successes. Our list of the best asbestos testing companies in Calgary includes those with multiple years or decades of experience, local knowledge, and stellar online reviews. If you think you might have asbestos, have it tested right away!
This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com