Discovering mould or asbestos during a home renovation is the last thing a homeowner wants. But surprisingly, it happens more often that you would think. Asbestos in particular was often used pre-1980’s for home building due to its excellent heat insulation, electrical insulation and fire retardant properties. However, it ends up becoming highly hazardous when it is disturbed and its fibres are awakened from their dormant state and well, if you’re going through a home renovation, you know it’s quite a disturbance.

Mould as well, is an insidious environmental toxin that left untreated can cause serious long term health problems. It can cause severe allergic reactions and also aggravate asthma in those exposed to its harmful affects. Thus, you want neither of these present in your home compromising your health or the health of your family. So what do you do next? You get it out of there of course!

What to do when you find asbestos or mould during a home renovation:

1. Contact a reputable mould and asbestos remediation company immediately to obtain a quote for the testing. You’ll want them to take a sample so they can properly identify what it is and the work that’ll need to be done to fix it and provide you with a proper estimate.
2. Get an estimate or assessment of the work required based on the results of their testing. You can reach out to other company’s and price compare if you wish.
3. You’ll have to obtain a permit for remediation and ensure that the area remains contained. The remediation company you choose should help you with both getting a permit as well as sealing off the area to ensure airborne particles don’t escape from the containment area.
4. Prior to removal, have an air quality test conducted. This way, you can compare the air quality before and after the remediation has been completed. A good company will test the quality of the air throughout the process.
5. Make sure you get a certificate of remediation and air quality after the work is performed.
6. Once you have received these certificates you can proceed with your renovation project and know that your home is safe from these silent toxins.

Other things to note about Mould and Asbestos and their Remediation:

• Asbestos and mould remediation isn’t cheap. And you shouldn’t cheap out on it or cut corners when it comes to this type of work because it’s your health that will be compromised.
• Often you’ll have to relocate while the work is being performed to ensure you’re not breathing in any of the pesky particles. The length of time necessary for remediation depends on the assessment provided by the remediation company and how much needs to be removed.
• Asbestos can be found in building materials dating to and before the mid 1980’s including: vinyl flooring and tiles (both floor and ceiling tiles), paper products used around duct work and floor registers, insulation around piping, furnaces, and wood burning stoves, patching and joint compounds, roofing materials and textured paints.
• Mould is an organic substance that can grow virtually anywhere so long as it has moisture and oxygen. Usually it begins via condensation, leaking plumbing and roofing, flooding or within damp basements.