What is Asbestos and Why Should You Care
Asbestos – you’re often warned about it, but do you know why?
Let’s start with the basics.
Asbestos is a material made from mineral fibres that was commonly used in the construction of homes, as well as residential, commercial, and industrial products, prior to the late 1980s.
It’s durability and versatility led to its widespread usage. It has the potential to be found all around you, including:
- Within air ducts
- Under carpet
- In pipes
- In fibre cement sheet
- In flooring
- In insulation
- On roofs
The list goes on…however, it was proven to have carcinogenic properties and the use of the material was consequently banned in most countries.
Asbestos is microscopic and rigid, allowing it to be easily inhaled and lodged in the respiratory system. As a result, asbestos is only hazardous when it’s airborne. This can happen when the material deteriorates or is disturbed in some way.
Identifying Asbestos
Asbestos is usually found in moisture-prone and/or insulated areas. It has a thick and fuzzy appearance and can be white or brown in colour, but it can be very hard to properly identify with just a visual inspection.
If you suspect your home may contain asbestos, given the year it was built and the materials used, it’s important to have a trained WINMAR professional test the material and create a comprehensive removal or abatement strategy.
Stay tuned for our next blog post on asbestos isolation, abatement, and removal.