Asbestos Removal in Residential Spaces: Ensuring Safety and Compliance

You are excited about your home renovation, new floors, fresh walls, and maybe even an open-concept kitchen.

Before you start tearing things down, though, you should consider the hidden dangers that could be lurking in your walls. If your home was built before the 1990s, there is a chance it contains asbestos.

Asbestos was once praised for its durability and fire resistance, but today it poses serious health risks when disturbed during renovation or demolition work.

What is asbestos, and why was it used?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once a go-to material in home construction. Builders valued it for being heat-resistant, durable, and an excellent insulator. It didn't burn, corrode, and further strengthened building materials while improving energy efficiency.

It was incorporated into insulation flooring, walls, ceilings, pipes, siding, and roofing in homes built before the 1990s.

If it was so useful, though, why is it now a serious health concern? The issue arises when asbestos is disturbed.

The Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure

When asbestos is broken, cut, drilled, or sanded during renovations or demolition work, it releases microscopic fibers into the air. These fibers are invisible, easily inhaled, and can become permanently trapped in the lungs.

Over time, asbestos exposure can lead to serious, often fatal, lung conditions, including:

• Asbestosis: A lung disease caused by scarring


• Lung cancer: Has a high fatality rate


• Mesothelioma: An aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and abdomen

The worst part is that symptoms may take decades to appear, meaning that exposure today could result in illness 20 to 50 years later.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, asbestos is the major cause of 1,900 lung cancer cases, 430 mesothelioma cases, and dozens of other asbestos-related diseases annually in Canada.

When should you worry about asbestos in your home?

Not every home has asbestos. However, if you notice crumbling insulation, damaged vinyl tiles, or old popcorn ceilings, these could be warning signs. If you notice wear and tear on these materials, do not ignore them.

Even if there is no visible damage, disturbing hidden asbestos during construction work can also pose serious health risks.

Safe Asbestos Removal: Why DIY Is Not an Option

If you are thinking about handling asbestos removal yourself, it is best to give it more thought. Unlike tearing out old cabinets or ripping up carpets, asbestos removal is a serious health risk.

When you break or sand asbestos-containing materials, tiny fibers are released into the air. You wouldn't even see them floating in the air, yet you could be breathing them in for hours.

In Canada, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations mandate only qualified professionals to handle asbestos abatement. These regulations require the development of an asbestos management plan, proper training for workers, and the use of appropriate safety measures during removal.

Improper handling or do-it-yourself (DIY) removal of asbestos is not only hazardous, but also illegal. Violations often result in hefty fines and legal consequences. That is why it is critical to engage certified asbestos removal experts who adhere to federal and provincial regulations.

The Role of Certified Experts in Asbestos Removal

Certified experts play an important role in ensuring asbestos removal is done safely and legally. The process begins with a thorough inspection and testing, where professionals collect samples and analyze them in a lab.

Once asbestos is confirmed, they seal off affected areas with plastic sheeting and negative air pressure systems. This containment prevents fibers from spreading to other parts of your home.

During removal, specialists use protective gear and HEPA filtration to carefully extract asbestos-containing materials. These materials are then sealed and transported to designated hazardous waste facilities, following Alberta's strict disposal regulations.

Licensed asbestos removal companies ensure that every step aligns with health and safety laws. If a residential demolition project involves an older home, asbestos testing is a legal requirement before any work begins.

Skipping this step can lead to serious health risks and costly legal consequences.

How to Choose the Right Asbestos Removal Company in Calgary

When hiring an asbestos removal company, homeowners should look for licensed and certified asbestos removal professionals who follow strict safety protocols.

Experience matters, especially in Calgary, where the specific regulations must be met. A reputable company should have proper disposal and waste management protocols that ensure asbestos is handled legally and safely.

Checking client reviews and testimonials can also provide insights into their track record.

However, be wary of companies that offer suspiciously cheap asbestos removal services. Cutting corners in containment, disposal, or safety measures can put your family's health at risk.

If you are planning renovations or a residential demolition, hiring qualified experts is the only legal and best way to remove asbestos.

Makki Demolition: Safety First, Every Time

When it comes to the removal of asbestos and residential demolition, safety isn't optional; it's the priority. That's why Calgary homeowners trust Makki Demolition.

With years of experience and a commitment to strict safety compliance, our team specializes in asbestos testing, safe removal, residential demolition, and environmental cleanup. We follow all Alberta regulations to protect your home and health.

We don't take shortcuts; we put safety first, every time.

Call us today at +1 (403) 392-2803, or contact us online to schedule a consultation.