Testing a Home for ASBESTOS Before Demolition

As often happens in up-and-coming areas, lots of people are purchasing real estate in Calgary with the intention of demolishing the existing home and building a new structure on the lot. That can be a great idea, allowing you to build your dream home while raising the value of your investment at the same time.

One thing to keep in mind before you sign the papers and take the first step, however, is that the law requires you to test a home for asbestos before it’s demolished. The reason is simple: Pulverizing asbestos-filled building materials and releasing them into the air could be a severe health risk. Occupants, neighbors, and even construction workers can all breathe in dangerous material for days or weeks on end. And so, guidelines specify that the home be checked for asbestos before this type of work begins.

Unfortunately, some buyers overlook this detail, and it can come back to haunt them later. Recently, we were called to inspect a home that was set to be demolished, and found that asbestos was present within the walls. Because the new owners hadn't thought about this detail, or budgeted for it, the expense of removing the asbestos safely – which we must point out again, was required by law – took a pretty big bite out of their construction fund.

Avoiding the same mistake is easy. Make asbestos testing and removal a part of your home demolition budget. Or better yet, have the home inspected before you actually buy it in the first place so you can be sure you won’t be set for any nasty surprises later. Testing for asbestos in a Calgary home that you plan to knock down might not be convenient, but it is a legal requirement.

Call Amity Environmental today at 403-667-8264 to schedule an inspection.

Why Thorough Asbestos Testing is so Important to Calgary Homeowners

AMITY ENVIRONMENTAL INC.

     For a long time, builders and homeowners didn't realize the dangers that asbestos represented to our health, much less that thousands of cancer cases would be traced back to the material. Now, we often face a similar problem – people know asbestos is dangerous, but they don't really understand just how common it is.

     That's because, even though it was banned before then, builders could use exemptions to keep using asbestos in construction until the late 1980s. And, it was used in all kinds of materials and products. These days, it isn't unusual for us to find asbestos in places homeowners wouldn't expect, such as ceiling textures, attic insulation, and even vinyl or linoleum flooring.

     For that reason, the only way to keep yourself and your family safe in a home that's more than 25 years old is to have a professional come in and look for asbestos. Here at Amity Environmental, we don't just provide that service, we work with the highest-credited lab in North America to ensure that we can find out exactly what you have in your home, without any mistakes or accuracy errors.

     Do you need to have an experienced Calgary asbestos testing and removal team on your side, or one of the world's best labs evaluating samples? That's for you to decide, but given that you won't pay anything extra to work with our company, why would you demand anything less?

     It's unfortunate that asbestos has disrupted, and even ended, so many lives simply because we didn't know better. Now, though, you have the power to make one phone call and have our team look through your home for any problems that could cause you and your family health issues later.

Don't wait any longer – place a call to Amity Environmental today at 403-667-8264.

Is Mold Hiding in the Dark Corners of Your Calgary home?

Recently, I went out to assess a client's home and saw something that I hadn't witnessed in decades of work with Calgary mold removal.

The woman in question had noticed a strange smell around her house, and suspected that she had mold growing. After a quick look, I was fairly certain I could trace the mold back to her bedroom closet. And sure enough, once I'd pushed a few clothes aside, I could see that the hidden portions of the space were literally black from a growing mold colony.

Obviously, this is something no one wants to see. Unfortunately, though, it's not actually all that unusual. Here is why: Mold doesn't like light. As a result, it tends to grow in places where it can't be seen, especially in closets, behind walls, and in other parts of your home that you wouldn't normally think to look.

For that reason, the first signs that you need Calgary mold removal in your home, other than moisture in some part of your house, are usually a musty smell. The mold that's causing it won't always be easy to find or locate, and so you either have to peer into dark corners, or get the help of a technician who knows where to find it, and how to remove it so it doesn't come back again.

And as always, remember that mold isn't just a nuisance – it's a hazard to your health. And so, if you do suspect you have mold in your home, don't ignore the problem, and don't try to simply wipe it away with bleach (mold likes all forms of moisture, so that just amounts to feeding it).

If you want to know more about Calgary mold removal, or have your home assessed, call the Amity Environmental team at 403-667-8264 to schedule a visit from a technician today.

Does Calgary Mold Removal Have to be Expensive?

When homeowners first detect a moldy smell – or worse, see signs of mold around the house – one of the first things that comes to mind is wondering how much they'll have to spend for Calgary mold removal. Very often, they have heard horror stories from others, and they might be wondering whether it's something that has to cost a fortune… and whether they can afford it at all.

Because these fears are entirely understandable, let us give you three important details about Calgary mold removal expenses:

1. Our work requires specialized equipment and expertise. Mold removal is more complex and time-intensive than a lot of people think it is. It isn't just a matter of spraying around chemicals, or even cutting out affected areas. Instead, you have to find the source of the growth and be sure to eliminate it.

2. The cost for Calgary mold removal depends a great deal on how severe the situation is. Most of the "horror stories" about expensive Calgary mold removal involve situations where the growth got out of hand. If you catch the symptoms early enough, and act quickly, mold removal doesn't have to be incredibly expensive.

3. No matter what the charge, mold removal is always a good investment. When it comes down to it, having mold in your home is a major health risk, and one that can even lead to serious illnesses or death. The quality of your air isn't something to take for granted, especially if you are seeing moldy spots or detecting a musty smell in your air. If you suspect you have mold, get in touch with us right away.

Want to find out how much it will cost to make your home mold-free? Get in touch with Amity Environmental today and schedule an appointment with our experienced technicians.

jason@amityenvironmental.ca

Asbestos is in what?

Asbestos Products Are in What????

What is common to many asbestos-containing products is that they were (are) used to contain heat (i.e. thermal insulation.) It is impossible to list all of the products that have, at one time or another, contained asbestos. Some of the more common asbestos-containing products are:

• pipe-covering
• attic insulation - vermiculite or zonolite
• insulating cement
• insulating block
• asbestos cloth
• gaskets
• packing materials
• thermal seals
• refractory and boiler insulation materials
• transite board
• asbestos cement pipe
• fireproofing spray
• drywall joint compound(mud)
• vinyl floor tile
• ceiling tile
• mastics
• adhesives
• coatings
• acoustical textures or popcorn texture
• duct insulation for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• roofing products
• insulated electrical wire and panels
• brake and clutch assemblies

Some of these products contained a very high proportion of asbestos, while others contained small amounts.

The best thing you can do is test first before any demolition occurs, its always best to err on the side of caution.

Call or email Amity Environmental Inc. today

Flooding in Calgary and Mold

This major emergency of flooding in Calgary has impacted so many here in this fine city, most home owners that have had water in their basement will discover mold in their home within a week, a safe assumption would presume these people will have to remove the hazardous fungus as soon as possible.  That is, until researching the cost of a mold remediation specialist.  However, time is of the essence and choosing a lower-priced mold removal services may cost the property owner more in the end.

An age-old axiom warns consumers with six simple words: “You get what you pay for.”  While driving a hard bargain may behoove some shoppers looking for a good deal, paying for safe, efficient service is vital when it comes to a person’s most valuable investment.

Should a home or business owner encounter mold in their property after the flooding, they can count on one thing: depreciation of the value of their property.  Insurance companies and inspectors will deem a property value “zero” when mold is involved due to the innumerable legal implications that may surface during or after a sales transaction.

It is important for property owners to fit mold removal into their budget, most home owner should be covered by insurance because of flash flooding, seepage claims will probably not be covered.  Property owners will use this reason as an excuse to hire the services of an inexpensive alternative to a more reputable mold removal specialist.  On the contrary, home and business owners should measure the value of service they will be receiving by spending some time researching the companies credentials.

Insurance – Property owners must ensure the remediation specialist they choose is sufficiently covered for potential damages caused to their property during the mold remediation process.  Companies without enough insurance, or none at all, may make a mistake, the property owner is stuck with the damage and the bill.

IICRC Certified Technicians – The IICRC is a non-profit company that creates and governs ethical mold remediation practices.  The IICRC S520 Guidelines are critical to ensuring safe, healthy and efficient mold removal.  The likelihood is that all lower-priced restoration companies will not be able to provide certified techs for the project due to costs of obtaining proper certification and training. (ask if the tech has his or her AMRT or CMS designation from the EAA)

Containment of the Mold Outbreak – For the same reasons properties owners are not advised to handle mold removal on their own, some restoration companies may not  provide proper safety precautions by charging less for their service.  Containing the fungal outbreak is essential for two main reasons:

Mold will do its best to survive.  If mold is touched, it will send thousands of spores, or seeds, into the air to find a new area to colonize (called dissemination).  By failing to set up a containment area, mold can grow in other rooms of the property, in carpets, on furniture, on clothing and even get into the ventilation and HVAC systems.

Touching mold without proper personal protective equipment can cause severe allergic reactions like, high fever, shortness of breath, eye irritation and skin irritation.

Unbiased Mold Testing– Low-cost companies who advertise “free” testing are selling a conflict of interest to potential clients.  Mold testing should always be completed by a non-affiliated, third-party industrial hygienist.  Without an unbiased tester, restoration companies can manipulated test results to benefit themselves and take advantage of the consumer.  Dependable restoration companies will only work when a third-party hygienist is involved and even have a comprehensive list of non-affiliated testers for the consumer to choose from.

- See more at: www.amityenvironmental.ca

Water Seepage and Prevention

The season for potential water in your basement is now coming to a basement near you. Are you ready? Monitoring your home is discussed below may prevent water damage.

·         It should be understood that it is impossible to predict the severity or frequency of moisture penetration to a home. Almost all basements exhibit signs of moisture penetration and virtually all basements can indeed leak at some point in time. Further monitoring of the foundation will be required to determine what improvements, if any, will be required. Basement leakage rarely affects the structural integrity of a home.

Flooding potential

·         The vast majority of basement leakage problems are the result of insufficient control of storm water at the surface. The ground around the house should be sloped to encourage water to flow away from the foundations. Gutters and downspouts should act to collect roof water and drain the water at least five (5) feet from the foundation or into a functional storm sewer. Downspouts that are clogged or broken below grade level, or that discharge too close to the foundation are the most common source of basement leakage.

·          In the event that basement leakage problems are experienced, lot and roof drainage improvements should be undertaken as a first step. Please beware of contractors who recommend expensive solutions. Excavation, damp-proofing and/or the installation of drainage tiles should be a last resort. In some cases, however, it is necessary. Your plans for using the basement may also influence the approach taken to curing any dampness that is experienced.

Annual Precipitation

 

Wet Basement Causes

-Annually the province receives about 355 millimeter of rain from May to October. On a typical 40 x 110 foot lot, this will produce 144,800 liters of water. 

- 6 millimeter of rain on the 40 x 110 foot lot would produce 2,596 liters of water. 

- The 355 millimeters of rain on a roof of a 2000 square foot house would produce more than 167,200 liters of water, which must be directed away from the foundation of the home. 

- The 6 millimeters of rain on the same roof would produce 1,200 liters of water that must be directed away from the foundation of the home.

With these things in mind, I hope your basement stays dry, if you have experienced water damage please call or email us at jason@amityenvironmental.ca, or check us out on our site www.amityenvironmental.ca

Water Seepage, Problems and Solutions

Water Seepage, Problems and Solutions

Water damage from seepage or ground water is a serious problem and usually is not covered by insurance.

Things you can do to protect your investment sealing cracks before they get worse, checking the backwater valve to avoid a sewer backup, extending downspouts to prevent water seepage. It’s a lot of work to maintain a home, but nowhere near as much as having to clean up after sustaining water damage in your basement!

Cause No. 1: Gutters

Gutters play a crucial role:  They carry thousands of liters of water every year. During heavy rain, they can collect up to 10,000 L of water – half the volume of a 15 ft. swimming pool.

A word of caution: Are your downspouts connected to the subsoil drainage pipe or the municipal sewer system? Warning: They could overflow! This is against National Building Code standards and many municipalities’ bylaws. Disconnect them to avoid the risk of a sewer backup.

Clear the gutters: A good habit to get into, ideally, you should clean the gutters in the spring and fall. Remove leaves and debris then use a hose to run water through them, starting from the highest point. That way you can check that the water is flowing properly and find any leaks. For your safety, we recommend hiring a professional.

Cause No. 2: Ground Slope

Over time, soil erosion can change the slope of the ground around your house, until one day you realize rainwater is flowing toward the house instead of toward the street! Be sure to keep an eye on this and take action to avoid seepage problems.

When the ground slopes toward the house, water from heavy rainfall or melting snow will collect near the foundation and fill the drains. Water has nowhere else to go but to seep into the most vulnerable points - the base of the foundation or small cracks.

A slope of as little as 10 to 15 cm over 1.5 m (4 to 6 in. over 5 ft.) starting from the outside wall of the house is enough to keep water away from the foundation.

Cause No. 3: Backwater valve

What’s a backwater valve?

A backwater valve prevents sewage water from backing up into your home. The backwater valve is part of the plumbing system and is located in the basement. It’s simple open-close flap does an important job: making sure the municipal sewage system  doesn't back up into the drains and ends up bubbling out of your plumbing fixtures!

Most buildings have one or more of these backup prevention devices. You’ll find your backwater valves in the basement, either covered by a trap or installed on above ground pipes near plumbing fixtures (e.g., sinks, toilets, showers or washer drains).

If your basement is unfinished, you may see a round (usually black) trap on the floor. Simply lift it to access the valve. With an above ground installation, the valve will often be right on top of the drain pipe of a plumbing fixture. Accessible backwater valves – the secret to success! Sewer backups aren't fun, so it’s worth making sure your backwater valves are properly sealed and well maintained. And that means they have to be accessible! If your valve is covered by a trap, make sure you can find and remove it if you need to.

Clean valves bring peace of mind Cleaning a backwater valve is much easier than having to dry out a flooded basement! WHICH THEN CAN BECOME A MOLD COVERED BASEMENT! It only takes a few minutes to make sure it’s sealed and working but time well spent.

For help with Mold issues: www.pureaircalgary.com 

Follow us on Twitter: @pureairenvironm

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Asbestos News

Interesting Asbestos News

When it comes to asbestos here is some interesting news; the advice of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can be summed up in three words: Do Not Disturb. The highly toxic building material poses no threat to those who must co-exist with it — including many homeowners whose homes were built before the substance was phased out of use in the 1980s — so long as it is not damaged or disturbed in any way. But anything that causes asbestos fibers to break off and scatter into the air, even in minute quantities, creates a serious health threat for anyone near it.

An estimated 400 tons of asbestos was used in the construction of the World Trade Center. And when you consider that even a homeowner who wishes to do simple remodeling must take precautionary steps if asbestos is present, the impact of having the asbestos-filled Twin Towers crumble to the ground is staggering to imagine.

According to the EPA, the asbestos that rained down on New York City on 9/11 was not just damaged, but pulverized into dust, permeating the air that would be breathed by everyone in and around Ground Zero. One nearby building was found to contain asbestos levels 110,000 times the legal limit.

It is no wonder, then, that within five years of the terrorist attack, rescue and cleanup workers began to develop asbestos-related lung diseases such as mesothelioma at an alarming rate. (According to the Centers for Disease Control, these diseases may take 20 to 50 years to develop after exposure.) Yet, it was not until 2012, when other types of cancer were added to the official list of 9/11-related diseases, that mesothelioma victims became eligible for assistance under the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Contact a certified professional before you disturb any materials in your home : www.amityenvironmental.ca

What is Asbestos?

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals and rocks that can be separated into fibers. The fibers are strong, durable, and resistant to heat and fire. They are also long, thin and flexible, so that they can even be woven into cloth.

 

Because of these qualities, this material or rock has been used in thousands of consumer, industrial, maritime, automotive, scientific and building products. During the twentieth century, some 30 million tons of asbestos were used in industrial sites, homes, schools, shipyards and commercial buildings in the North America, there are specific communities in Calgary where we have found asbestos to be prevalent.

There are several types of asbestos fibers, of which three have been used for commercialapplications:

1. Chrysotile, or white, comes mainly from Canada, and has been very widely used in the US. It is white-gray in color and found in serpentine rock.
2. Amosite, or brown, comes from southern Africa.
3. Crocidolite, or blue, comes from southern Africa and Australia.

Amosite and crocidolite are called amphiboles. This term refers to the nature of their geologic formation.

Other asbestos fibers that have not been used commercially are tremolite (insulation), actinolite (vermiculite insulation) and anthophyllite, although they are sometimes contaminants in asbestos-containing products.

It should be noted that there are non-fibrous, or non-asbestiform, variants of tremolite, anthophylite and actinolite, which may not have the same adverse health consequences that result from exposure to commercial forms of asbestos.

Why is asbestos still a problem?

Asbestos is still a problem because a great deal of it has been all over North America, because many asbestos-containing products remain in buildings, ships, industrial facilities and other environments where the fibers can become airborne,  because of the serious human health hazards of inhaling asbestos fibers. For more information check out www.amityenvironmental.ca

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Exposure

 

Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause asbestos-related diseases including malignant mesothelioma and other cancers. A potentially dangerous asbestos exposure can result from very small fibers at low exposure levels.

Most such exposure would likely have occurred prior to the 1980s, but the latency period can be up to 50 years for most asbestos-related cancers to develop.

Many people have come into contact with asbestos fibers at their jobs. This is occupational exposure. There is also a risk to the family members of those working in at-risk occupations; this exposure is called paraoccupational exposure.

Approximately 70% to 80% of the cases of mesothelioma are believed to be the direct result of easily identified occupational or paraoccupational exposure to asbestos fibers.

A third group of people are also at risk, not from their job, but from where they live. Sites likely to have asbestos include refineries, power plants, factories, shipyards, steel mills and demolished buildings.

Those who live nearby can be exposed by the release of asbestos fibers that contaminate their residential neighborhoods.

Specific Industries and Occupations with Asbestos-Exposure Risk

Industries / Job Locations:

• Automotive repair (brakes & clutches)
• Construction/contractors
• Oil refineries
• Power plants
• Railroads
• Steel mills

Occupations:

• Automotive mechanics
• Bricklayers
• Building Inspectors
• Carpenters
• Drywallers
• Floor layers
• Electricians
• Insulators
• Iron workers
• Laborers
• Longshoremen
• Maintenance workers
• Millwrights
• Painters
• Plasterers
• Plumbers
• Roofers
• Sheet metal workers
• Steam fitters
• Tile setters
• Welders
  

For more information on testing and removal go to : www.amityenvironmental.ca

What to do if you find asbestos in your home

What to Do If You Find Asbestos in Your Home...

            Asbestos was used in homes and other from 1990 and older. It was ideal at the time because it was good for soundproofing, had a decent tensile strength, and was pretty much resistant to heat, electrical and chemical damage. We now know that asbestos can be very harmful to your health, as it has been known to cause malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma (a type of rare cancer) and asbestosis (which is a type of pneumoconiosis).

So, if you find asbestos in your home, what should you do?

1)    The Effects. Asbestos releases particles when it is cut, drilled, broken or disturbed in any way. These particles are the most dangerous part about asbestos; and if they are inhaled in you can get sick. So if you are conducting renovations or anything of the sort, you should test to see if you have asbestos in your home.

2)    Materials? Asbestos is found in insulation such as vermiculite or zonolite, on ducting around furnaces,  popcorn textured coatings on ceilings, in drywall compound, lathe and plaster on walls, it can be present in exterior stucco and siding, also in vct tiles and lino flooring.

3)    Leave it alone. If you are unsure if you may or may not have asbestos in your home, the best thing to do is leave it alone until you are sure. In this case, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry, so follow the next two steps before you start renovating.

4)    Get it tested. The best way to figure out if you have asbestos in your home or not is to get it tested. Contact an asbestos remediation company, they usually do testing as well. Asbestos can only be identified with a laboratory test – so no tasting it or basing your finds on the colour either.

5)    Call an asbestos remediation/abatement company. These certified companies have the experience, knowledge and equipment to remove all the asbestos from your home so you can go ahead with your remodeling – or just give you peace of mind. Most asbestos remediation/abatement companies can provide testing services as well.

If you live in a home built before 1990, you should definitely look into the possibility of there being asbestos in your home. Before you pick up that hammer or cut a hole in your wall, ensure that it is safe for you to do so.

T: 403-667-8264
E: jason@amityenvironmental.ca